Mass transit is a crucial component for Honolulu’s future. Honolulu is one of the only major municipalities in America without a rail transit system. The rail project is part of the overall vision of Honolulu’s future that includes smart growth and transit-oriented development, complete streets, and the ability to transform and revitalize older communities along the rail line into areas that we can live, work and play.
Providing efficient and safe transportation is an issue that we cannot overlook, especially with both a growing and aging population. A rail system in Honolulu would generate positive economic impacts for our island by connecting communities and transporting people in the most efficient and safe way. Our new rail system will also help to make Oahu a world-class destination for our visitors.
Rail transit will provide us with an alternative mode of transportation that will be reliable, efficient and cost effective. With the escalating costs of gas, car registration, insurance and vehicle maintenance, owning a car could become a thing of the past and may no longer be an affordable option for many. As young adults, we continue to struggle to make a living here in Hawaii, considering the rising costs of our educational loans and other bills.
More of the young adult population is deciding to move into urban areas in order to be closer to work and avoid the expense of a long commute. This trend is growing across the nation because of its affordability and access to rail/public transportation and close proximity to major venues.
Honolulu’s rail system will have the ability to revitalize urban areas by creating new communities with smart growth policies that will be affordable and attractive to live in.
Building more roads and developing urban sprawl is a vision of the past; rail is part of Honolulu’s vision of the future. As a community, we clearly miss the point if we focus on the $5.16 billion cost and overlook the long-term benefits that rail transit will provide.
In fact, a major part of the overall project is future extension plans from West Kapolei to East Kapolei; Ala Moana to Waikiki; and most importantly, Ala Moana to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Students and visitors will one day have the advantage of utilizing a world-class transit system, and we need to start building it now.
Moving forward, we must embrace our future and move away from a car-centric viewpoint. Rail will provide future generations with a sustainable road map for smart development. Instead of spending hours in traffic, we will have more time to spend with those we love.
The 2012 mayoral election is about much more than just rail; it is about making our vision for Honolulu become a reality. One mayoral candidate’s proposal of bus rapid transit and dedicated lanes is a concept of the past. Clearly, he is out of touch with the realities our generation faces. Rail is the only option that will provide an alternative to traffic congestion and truly enhance our quality of life. Our generation depends on it more than ever.
