But first think about Honolulu’s freeways.

They were probably Hawaii’s most costly public works project to date back when they were planned and built. Obviously they required displacement of lots of people, homes, and businesses. They represented an incredibly costly investment, with ongoing repair and maintenance costs to be paid, well, forever. They required taxes to be increased to build up a highway fund. The huge public works project allowed contracts to go to politically connected companies and created opportunities for corruption. And, as some probably predicted at the time, freeways couldn’t eliminate traffic congestion. In fact, at this point they are the very definition of traffic congestion.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

If the attitudes of Stop Rail Now had prevailed at the time, we wouldn’t have built freeways. Would that have left us better off? Some might think so, but I doubt many Oahu residents would look forward to commuting without freeway access.

So I’m disappointed that Ann Kobayashi, who I’ve known and respected for years, has placed herself so squarely in the anti-rail camp. I would have liked to vote for her. But I can’t.

Perhaps its just that I don’t fully appreciate the politics behind the exploitation of this wedge issue by this funny coalition of liberal and ultra conservative factions.

Look at the main public arguments made by those in opposition rail. Cost is #1. Yet we’ve been paying for the rail for the past year and, despite those who try to whip up anti-tax hysteria, there simply hasn’t been much public concern about the extra half a cent excise tax that goes for rail. It just doesn’t have nearly the impact that vocal opponents predicted. Compare that to the vocal public complaints heard about the cost of gas and electricity, for example. Those escalating prices have made a big difference to the person on the street. But the extra half-penny on that dollar you spend–it hasn’t even been noticed. So despite all the hyperventilating, we have evidence that we can indeed afford to build a rail system.

Some rail opponents say they prefer rubber tires instead of steel wheels. But the administration of former mayor Jeremy Harris planned and started construction of a bus rapid transit system, and the same complainers opposed bus transit and applauded when Mufi Hannemann scuttled it. I supported the bus transit as a reasonable alternative at the time, and wish Cliff Slater’s group had done so instead of spouting arguments similar to those they’re making today. And, as a result, I have trouble taking today’s “rubber tires not rail” argument seriously.

Rail isn’t going to help the Windward side? Get serious. Those of us living out here in Koolauloa want to keep the country country, and rail is a key part of doing just that. Rail will concentrate development along the rail line on the other side of the island, relieving development pressures out here. Stop whining about rail not servicing us and be thankful that it won’t. Seriously.