Record Details for Honolulu Rail Transit DEIS Comment

RECORD # 357 DETAILS
-----------------------
Status : Initial Action Needed
Creation Date : 1/7/2009
Creator Affiliation :
First Name : Malo
Last Name : Sua
Business/Organization : Good Samaritan Church
Address : P.O Box 31029
Alternative Preference :
Apt./Suite No. :
City : Honolulu
State : HI
Zip Code : 96820
Email :
Telephone :
Telephone Extension :
Add to Mailing List : Standard
Submission Method : Website
Other Submission Method :
Submission Date : 01/07/2009
Submission Content/Notes : Thank you for thinking ahead to give the people a choice. Traffic is very
bad from the Waianae Coast to Town.
Reply Requested :
Submission Type : Draft EIS Comment
FOIA (Freedom of
Information Request)
Request :
FOIA Referral Date :
FOIA Response Date :

Creation Date : 21912009
First Name : Jamie
Last Name : Story
BusinesslOrganization : Grassroot institute of Hawaii
Address : 1314 South King Street
Apt.lSuite No. : Suite 1163
City : Honolulu
State : HI
Zip Code : 96814
Email : jamie@grassrootinstitute.org
Telephone : 808-591-9193
Add to Mailing List : None
Submission Method : Letter
Other Submission Method : DART #1109-295335
Submission Date : 0 1I0712009
Submission ContentINotes :

From: Jamie Story [rnailto:jamiesue@clea~~ire.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 08,2009 12:00 AM
To: Yoshioka, Wayne; ted.matley@Ra.dot.gov
Cc: Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov; Apo, Todd K; Dela Ctuz, Donovan M; Marshall, Barbara; Djou, Charles;
Bainum, Duke; Tam, Rod; Cachota, Rorny; Okino, Gary; Garcia, Nestor
Subject: Grassroot Institute response to DEIS

Mr. Yoshioka and Mr. Motley,
Attached is the Grassroot lnstitute of Hawaii's response to tile DEiS for the proposed
Honolulu rail transit system. Please contact me if you have any follow-up questio~is.
Thonk you for your time!

Sincerely,

Jamie

Jamie Story, President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

The rnission of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is to promote individual liberiy, free
market economic principles and iimited, more accountable government. Please visit
our websife to make a tax-deductible donation or to learn more.

January 7,2009

Mr. Wayne Y. Yoshioka
Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honoiulu
650 South King Street. 3rd Floor
Honolulu. HI 96813

Mr. Ted Matley
F A Region IX
T
201 Mission Street. Suite I650
San Francisco, CA 94105

M. Yoshioka and Mr. Matley.
I

I am writing this letter out of concern regarding the proposed Honolulu rail transit system
and the related Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

Throughout 2008, the City and County of Honoluiu made a number of ciaims, many of
which are inciuded in the DEIS, which cannot be substantiated by existing data. Our
policy report. Debunking Myths of Honoiulu Kaii Trcmsit, refutes many of these cloims in
detail. Below are just a few of these ciaims, along with brief explanations of the facts.

Claim: Public transif ridership wili increase with the addition of raii transit.
Truth: Since i960, Denver i the only city that has held onto a slight percentage increase
s
in transit ridership after building rail. In metropolitan areas with high public transportation
usage (Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco), percentage of public
transportation usage has decreased in all the cities following the impiementation of rail
systems. The same pattern is occurring for metropolitan areas witii second tier pubiic
transportation usage (Detroit, Houston, Lo8 Angeles, Phoenix, Portiand, Sacramento. Sari
Juan, San Diego), contrary to what the city's radio and TV ads would have one believe.
(DecennialCensus 1960-2000and American Community Survey for 2007. US Census Bureau.
htlp:l/facffinder.ccnsus.gov/servlet/DotasetMainPageServlet?~lang=en&ts=20267317805&..ds..
name=ACS_2006EST. GOO...&~program)
.. .

Claim: Raii systems in cities such as Vancouver, Salt Lake City, Portland. ond
Washington, DC have been vital in reducing fraffic.
Truth: According to the Texas Transportation institute's 2007 Urban Mobility Report, none
of these cities have experienced a reduction in traffic, and traveling times for

commuters have increased even in spite of rail.
[http:~lmobility,tamu.eciulums/congestion~datalt0bles/n0tion~ii/tabie~4,pdf)

Claim: Rail uses less energy tlian automobiles or other commute options.
Truth: According to the US Department of Energy, energy use per passenger miie (Btu) is
3.512 for cars. 4.235 for buses. and 2,784 for roii. Motorcycles clock in much lower at
1.855, while the Toyota Prius clocks in at only 1,659 [Transportation Data Book, Chapter 2.

u , . --
Tiansnort & Personoi Mobilifv in USA in 2005, www.demoaroohio.comldb-aha-carstr.odfi. Given
,
rail tknsit's deciining rideiship and permanent dependence on fuel, the increasiiig
,

popularity of fuei-efficient cars such as the Prius and newer models mean thot energy
efficiency is increasing far cars whiie it decreases for raii. Furthermore, the energy
necessary to buiid a raii systein offsets any estimated energy savings. Portland's
environmental impact statements estimates the system would need 172 years of
savings-moving commuters fioin cars to rail-in order to make up for construction.

Claim: Rai! reduces carbon emissions.
Truth: The C 0 2 output of the light and heavy rail, buses and the average car are
presently very neariy the same. With the advent of hybrid and other more efficient cars
and the high turnover of cars, the average car wiii soon surpass ail other commute
options. including heavy raii. This argues for transit systems that aiiow for large numbers
of increasingly energy efficient cars-not fixed roii systems that will soon become a
thing of the past.

Claim: A $6.5 billion train is cost-effective.
Truth: According to the DEIS, the proposed rail system with both Airport and Sait Lake
routes will cost $6.5 biilion in capitai costs alone, or more than $6,OW per Oahu resident
These numbers ore excessiveiy iarge, especiaily when Inore cost-effective traffic
solutions exist. For example, the construction of HOT Lanes would cost just $0.9 biilion,
while shaving 40 minutes off of the commute time from Kapalei to Downtown as
compared to rail. ("Tronsportotio~? Alternatives Analysis for MitigatingTraffic Congestions
between Leeward Oahu and Honolulu" directed by Professor Panos D. Prevedouros. of ihe
University of Howoii ai Monoa.)

Thank you so much for taking the time to understand these concerns as expressed by
the Grassroot lnstitute of Hawaii. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any
further information.

Sincerely.

Jamie Story
President
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
1314 S. KingSt.Suite i 163
Honoiulu, Hawaii 96814
(808) 59 1-9 193
www.grassrootinstitute.org

..-......---...--.-....
Creation Date : I112012008
First Name : krista
Last Name : groothuis
BusinesslOrganization :
Address : 91-1052 aeae st.
Apt./Suite No. :
City : ewa beach
State : HI
Zip Code : 96706
Email : krista.groothuis@gmaii.com
Telephone :
Add to Mailing List : None
Submission Date : 1 112012008
Submission ContenVNotes : It is important to route the rail through the airport up to University of
Hawaii. As Tourism is one of the largest industries in Hawaii, the rail wili
reduce traffic and provide transportation for both visitors and
residentslernployees(of the airport). Also important is to route to UH.
As a resident from the Leeward side of the island, I can confirm that
traffic is alleviated when school is out of session. Therefore, I
SUPPORT THE ROUTE TO THE AIRPORT. I don't beiieve there's
enough demand to travel through Sait Lake.

- .. -* . .... .-
-.- . -*...-.
Status : lnitiai Action Needed
First Name : Gene
Last Name : Grounds
Business/Organization :
Address : 245 Mahimahi Place
Apt./Suite No. :
City : Honolulu
State : HI
Zip Code : 96821
Email : groundsgo01@hawaii.rr.com
Telephone : 808-377-5101
Add to Mailing List : Both
Submission Date : 1210412008
Submission ContenUNotes : I fully suppoit and accept this EIS. I prefer the airport route over the Salt
I ake rnote~

First Name : James
Last Name : Ha
BusinessIOrganization :
Address : 1201 Liliha Street
Apt./Suite No. : 202
City: Honolulu
State : HI
Zip Code : 96817
Email : hajamesl2@yahoo.com
Telephone :
Add to Mailing List : Both
Submission ContentlNotes : I live on Liliha Street, please make a stop near Liliha Street, thank you.

.--......-..---.---....
First Name : James
Last Name : Ha
BusinessIOrganization :
Address : 1201 Liliha Street
Apt.lSuite No. : 202
City : Honolulu
State : HI
Zip Code : 96817
Email : jamesha@hawaii.edu
Telephone :
Submission Date : 02/0312009
Submission ContenVNotes : Hello, Please add an station on Liliha Street.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
650 SOUTH KING STREET. 3RD FLOOR
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813
.
Phone: (808) 768-8305 Fax: (808) 768-4730 Internet:www.honolulu.gov

MUFI HANNEMANN WAYNE Y. YOSHIOKA
MAYOR DIRECTOR

SHARON ANN THOM
D E P U N DIRECTOR

February 16,2010

Mr. James Ha
1201 Liliha Street, #202
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Dear Mr. Ha:

Subject: Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project
Comments Received on the Draft Environmental I m ~ a cStatement
t

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City
and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) issued a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project.
This letter is in response to substantive comments received on the Draft EIS during the
comment period, which concluded on February 6, 2009. The Final EIS identifies the Airport
Alternative as the Project and is the focus of this document. The selection of the Airport
Alternative as the Preferred Alternative was made by the City to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations that state that the Final EIS shall identify the
Preferred Alternative (23 C.F.R. § 771.I25 (a)(l)). This selection was based on consideration of
the benefits of each alternative studied in the Draft EIS, public and agency comments on the
Draft EIS, and City Council action under Resolution 08-261 identifying the Airport Alternative as
the Project to be the focus of the Final EIS. The selection is described in Chapter 2 of the Final
EIS. The Final EIS also includes additional information and analyses, as well as minor revisions
to the Project that were made to address comments received from agencies and the public on
the Draft EIS. The following paragraphs address comments regarding the above-referenced
submittal:

Your comment has been noted. As illustrated in Chapter 2 of the Final EIS, the lwilei
Station is located at Kaaahi Street and Dillingham Boulevard, one block from Liliha Street.

The FTA and DTS appreciate your interest in the Project. The Final EIS, a copy of which
is included in the enclosed DVD, has been issued in conjunction with the distribution of this
letter. Issuance of the Record of Decision under NEPA and acceptance of the Final EIS by the
Governor of the State of Hawaii are the next anticipated actions and will conclude the
environmental review process for this Project.

Director

Enclosure

First Name : JOHN
Last Name : HACKNEY
BusinesslOrganization : NONE
Address : 721 PAOPUA LOOP
Apt./Suite No. :
City : KAILUA
State : HI
Zip Code : 96734
Email : JHACKNEY @CARLSONSATOTRAVEL.COM
Telephone : 808-261 -9828
Add t o Mailing List : Email
Submission Date :
Submission THIS WHOLE RAIL THING IS A HUGE BOONDOOGLE. IT WILL DO
NOTHING TO EASE TRAFFIC.
PLUS, THE WORST PART OF THE WHOLE THING IS THAT THE
PROJECT IS UNAFFORDABLE. THE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT RIDE
THE PROJECT ARE NOT THE ONES WHO WlLL END OF PAYING
FOR IT. BOTH YOU AND I KNOW THAT PROPERTY TAX PAYERS
WlLL END UP SHOULDERING A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF THE
TOTAL COST.

Status : initial Action Needed
First Name : Caiy
Last Name : Haitsuka
Address : 95-1 174 Anuanu St
Alternative Preference : Airport
Apt./Suite No. :
City : Mililani
State : HI
Zip Code : 96789
Email : haitsukac002@hawaii.rr.com
Telephone :
Add to Mailing List : Email
Submission Date :
Submission ConlenVNotes : ne lo sa, A O L d nrelef '.nc ra g3 1nro.gn in? a rpon 3na lo W 3 n X
311 "n Wanoa r :ne l.lAre Tnlnns tor 21: ng .s np.1 3Lr 70n7rn3rls
lor rne ra s/slem. Cary

-----O r i g i n a l Message-----
Trom: Tcd.Matl.oy@dot.gov [mailto:Ted.MatI.ey$dot .qov]
S e n t : Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:40 PM
To: Hi.yarnotu, Faith
S u b j e c t : F%: Rail

-----O r i g i n a l
Message-----
Prom: Sa:l.l.y R a i l [ m a i l t o : HnLLSO1lFtIAWAIT. R R - C M j
S e n t : Fuesclay, December 23, 2008 7:54 PM
To: wyoshioka@t~or?olulu. gov
C c : Matf.ey, Ted <PYA>; g o v e r n o r . l i n g l o @ h a w a i i.gov
Subject : R a i l

Government by t h e People, f o r t h e
People?
"Our govorrmr_?nl; should work f o r us, n o t a g a i n s t us, h e l p us, not h u r t
us. " These words spoken by Barack Obama at the 'lcenocratic k4ati.ona.l.
Corlverltion r i n g w i t h t r u t h . [ J n f o r t u n a t e l y , thoi~gh, i n [ionolulu t h e y
do n o t r e f l . e c t t h e r e a l i t y of c i t y government. Our c i t y o f f i c i a l s ,
under t h e l z a d e r s h i p o f Mayor Mufi Hannemann, a r e r e f u s i n g to s t o p a
t r a i n t h a t wi.l.1. carry us head on i n t o ocono~nicand environmental
disaster.

Trade u n i o n s and b u s i r l e s s e s which s t a n d t o b e n e f i c from t h e s t e e l on
steel r a i l s u p p o r t it, a s do marly c i t y b u r e a u c r a t s deperldcr~ton Mufi
f o r t t ~ e f . rj o b s . But I:here a r e 35,000 o r 45,000 o r 49,000 v o t e r s ,
depending on how one d e f i n e s vo!-.er, who want a l t e r n a t l . v e s . Tt1e.i.r
c o n c e r n s s h o u l d nol: bz d i s m i s s e d . Only a f t e r a p r o t r a c t e d st.rugg1.e by
c i . t i z e n g r o n p s did t h e city a g r e e t o a C i t y alld County of Hono11:lu
q u e s t i o n on th.e Novernber 4 t h hal.l.ot a s k i n g , "S11oul.d t h e c i t y bu.i.3.d a
s t e e l wheel on s t e e l . rail trans2.t system?" Nearly h a l f of t h e
c i t i z e r l e of 3awaj.i. ful1.y u n d e r s t o o d t h e d i r e consequences of s u c h a
system, and voted "No! "

The proposed steel on s t e e l . rail. will be an el.eirated 20 t o 40 f o o t
h i g h cement s t r u c t u r e cl.imbing t o 70 foe.:: a t U.fi. Marioa and I25 f e e t
a t Ala Moana Center, s t r e t c h i n g from KapoLei t o A l a Moana and U.H.
Manoa w i t h s p u r s t o the a i r p o r t and a l o n g t h e A L a W s i . On Nimitz
Avei;ue between Eta ' a i S t r e e t , Bishop S t r e e t , and Halekauwila, t h e 20
f o o t e l e v a t i o n w i l l run a l o n y t h e w a t e r . S t a t i o n s x i 1 1 b e
s t r a t e g i c a l l y placed a t 32 s l - t e s , one 5 s t o r i e s high a c r o s s from Aloha
Tower and one 12 s t o r i e s t a l l a t A l a Koana C s n t e r . N one a l o n g t h i s
o
r o u t e w i l l b e a b l e t o e s c a p e t h e r a c k e t o f s t e e l on s t e e l t r a i n s
r o a r i n g by. N one r ~ i l be a b l e t o e s c a p e t h e bli.ght on t h e a i n a .
o l

The c o s t s 'o t h e taxpayer a r e staggering. Some s t a t e s have n o s a l e s
t a x ; o t h e r s have no p r o p e r t y t a x ; soma have no tax on food o r
m e d i c a t i o n s ; stil.:l. o t h e r s k a t e s have no income t a x . But: i n ilawaii w e
llavs them a l l , e x c e p t i n p l a c e o f a saies t a x we have a more i.r!sj.dious
tax, a 4% e x c i s e t a x , a t a x on b u s i n e s s t r a n s a c t i o n s a t e v e r y l e v e l
whic:h i s p a s s e d on t o the consumer. Hannemann added a l'coun.ky

s n r c h a r q e " of . 5 4 t.0 t h e e x c i s c t a x Lo h c l p f i n a n c e t h e r a i l , qi.vi.rlq
u s ii r a t e of 4 . 5 " s I f b u s i n e s s e s choo.se t o p a s s or, t h e i r e x c i s e t a x
l i a b i l i t y t a t h e cons,urier, t h i s t a x c a n b e a s ihi.gh a; 4 . / 1 . % % .
:

Add t h i s t o o m h?.gh c o s l of .Living, and t h e f i . n a n c i a 1 bilcdei~becomes
niltenable. ?'he c a s t o f t h e s t e c l oil s t e e l r a i l . , v i t h i.nflai.ion a n d
c o s t o v e r r u n s , i s now p r o j e c t e d t o be about: 7 b i l l i o n d o l l a r s . With
t h e b u r d e n of m a i n t a i n i n q a c o r r o s i o n p r o n e s t e e l on sr.eei s y s t e m , an
i m p r a c t i c a l choi.ce f o r an i s l a n d stirrounded by o c e a n , t h e c o s t s 120
even h i g h e r . W w i l l p a y , o u r c h i l d r e n will. pay, and our
e
g r a n d c h i l d r e n w i % l pay f o r a s y s t e m t h a t w i t h r a p i d l y advancing
~ e c h n o l o g yw i l l become o b s o l e t e a s E a s t a s it i s b u i l t .

B y :tot p r e s e i i t i n q a l t e r n a i _ i v c ? v t o s t e e l on s t e e l , r a i l . techiol.ogy, t h e
mayor l e a d s many v o t e r s lto t h i n k Lhe c h o i c e i.s r a i l o r n o t h i n g . Yet
t h e r e a r c a l t e r n a t i v e s t o s t e e l on s t e e l r a i l , we!,l i n t e g r a l e d and
carefu'1.l.y thought. o u t s y s t e m s t h a t . would e a s e t h e t r a f f i c n i g h t m a r e a t
a f r a c t i o n o t h e c o s t and e n v i r o m a e n t a l d o s i . r u c t i o n . 'l'he c o o r d i n a t i o n
!
oE f e r r i e s , h i g h occupancy tol.1. l a n e s , T l e e t s o f mini. b u s e s , t r a f f i c
l j - g h t s , c o n t r a f l o w i.anes, b i c y c l e r o u t c s , and t h o u s e of new
u n d e r p a s s e s w h i l e e n c o u r a g i n g teleoommunication a n d s t a g g e r e d work
h o u r s would h e l e s s i n v a s i v e , less c o s t l y , and more L l e x i b l e t h a n a
stce.L on s t e e i r a i l s y s t e m . T h e r e may even be a n o t h e r l e s s i n v a s i v e ,
l e s s c o s t l y , and inore f1exj.bl.e r a p i d t r a n s i t s y s t e m t h a t ,would work
f o r Onhu commuters.

I(onolu:.u r!erds a inayor who works f o r a l l . t h e p e o p l e , n o t j t i s t t h o s e
who c o n t r i b r i t e t o h i s campaign o r wlio w i l l p r o f i t f r o n t h e s t e e l on
s c e e l rai!. s y s t e m . An horiesl: r e a p p r a i s a l . o f t h e r a i l . issix? would h e l p
c i r i z e r i s f e e l t h e i r government i s worki.ny f o r them. Arl h o n e s t arid
e f f e c t i v e mayor would l o o k a t t h e c u r r e n t economic r e c e s s i o n a n d h a v e
t h e i . n t c g r 1 . t ~t o s c r a p a r a i l s y s t e m t h a t w i l l b a n k r u p t t h e t u t u r e ,
become o b s o l e t e b e c o r e i t i s f i n i s h e d , and wreak havoc on Ozhu's
f r a g i l e ecosysl.en$.

From: Ted.Matley@dot.gov[mailto:Ted.Matley@dot.govl
Sent: Thursday, January 22,2009 1:39 PM
To: Mlyamoro, Faith
Subject: FW: Honoluiu Rail System

I

i
From: Gerhard C. Hamm [mailto:gch,hawaii@hawaiiantel.net'j
j Sent: Wednesday, January 07,2009 2:36 PM
To: Matley, Ted <FIX>
! Subject: Honolulu Rail System

Jau~uary
6,2009
i
Dear Mr. MatIey,
i

Pl~oenix opened a new 20 mile Light-rail train built for El. .4 billion.
just
j

I
Why does our Honolulu government project $5.3 billion for our 20 mile system'? Are the
Phoenicians that lnrrcll smarter than us to eIect a government that provides them with the same length system
for almost $4 billion (Four Billion Dollars) Icss? Wow!
I
What could we taxpayers do with $4 billion in our own pocltes? Think about it, seriously. Perhaps
for d ~ billiotl-dollar EPA-required sewage upgrade, and stilt Imve a few billions bft'!
e

j Siltcerely,
Gerhard C. Harnrn
1930 fitwe0 St.
Honolulu FiI 96821- 1304
; (808)373-1030
f GCH.Hawaii@lI-fawaiiantel.net


650 SOUTH KING STREET, 3RD FLOOR

.
Phone: (808) 768-8305 Fax: (808) 768-4730 Internet: www.honolulu.gov

MUFl HANNEMANN WAYNE Y. YOSHIOKA
MAYOR DIRECTOR

SHARON ANN THOM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

February 16, 2010

Mr. Gerhard C. Hamm
1930 Alaweo Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96821-1304

Dear Mr. Hamm:

Comments Received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

submittal:

The conditions between Phoenix and Honolulu are different. The systems are both
20 miles long, but the Phoenix line is estimated to carry less than half the riders of the Honolulu
system and take more than twice as long to travel the 20 miles. Moreover, the Phoenix line
removes two lanes of traffic along most of the route. There are numerous alternative routes
available for motorists in the Phoenix metro area. The Honolulu Project will not remove any
travel lanes. It will add to the capacity of the overall transportation system without reducing the
existing, limited roadway supply. Phoenix did not need to preserve highway capacity; Honolulu
must. To accomplish that, the system must be elevated (underground is more expensive). The
cost of an elevated system is higher than an at-grade line such as the recently opened system
in Phoenix, but the Honolulu sentice will have a much higher capacity and will be more reliable.

Mr. Gerhard C. Hamm
Page 2
February 16,2010

Lastly, the proposed capital funding sources for the Project cannot be used for non-
public transpoitation projects such as a secondary wastewater treatment plant. Enabling
legislation for the County General Excise and Use Tax surcharge and Ordinance 07-001
preclude the use of the collected funds for purposes other than a fixed-guideway transit system.


Very truly yours,

Director

Enclosure

..-..-...-.--.-.......-
Status : initial Action Needed
First Name : cameron
Last Name : hamp
Business/Organization :
Address :
Apt.lSuite No. :
City :
state : HI
Zip Code : 96789
Email : cameron41085@yahoo.com
Telephone :
Add to Mailing List : Ernail
Submission ContenVNotes : I have a few questions the first being,

What kind of security will be provided at the parking lots at the rail
stops?
If current "road work" creates congestion now, how much more would a
full scale project affect traffic? And what hours would the iabor be done?
navs see1 31al2 p19.ccts dno gencra . y me, 13-e 2-3 more /ears inan
or g,na : anneo 3 la !o rrccr lne 040ge: cors slcn: ) Are lne'c a-y
, 0
.
g-arailees Inat I s x o e c ' I nie ine .uo..l oe - 7 4
I

All of this is built on the assumption that the train would be full? Again
are there any guarantees, or incentives to use the train, otherwise I say
this. oh someone else is going to take it I can drive. The idea that other
people will say wiil someone else will do it similar to the philosophy of
recycling...if i don! do it someone else will.

--. ..... .
. ... -
.----. .-.
First Name : Earl
Last Name : Handy
Address : 47-226 luiu Street
Apt.lSuite No. :
City : Kaneohe
State : HI
Zip Code : 96744
Email : ehandy@hotmail.com
Telephone : 808-239-8037
Submission ContenVNotes : I think the route on the city side of Oahu is well thought out. I would like
to see a link to the windward side however. The best was to do that
would be to seek funding from the federal goverment and connect Pearl
Harbour with the Kaneohe Bay Marine Base following the H3 Highway.
A station placed as close to the Windward shopping center near the Like
Like Hwy would be best. I hope that all the trains acomodate bicycles is
some way like the Bart trains in San Fransico where bikes can be taken
aboard the last car.

Shirley Hasenyager
235 Kuuhoa Place
Kailua, HI 96734-2734
shirleyinhi@aol.com
(808) 262-5069

January 27, 2009

Mr. Wayne Yoshioka
Director, Dept. of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu HI 9681 3

Dear Mr. Yoshioka:

I have numerous concerns about the DElS for the Honolulu City and County's proposed heavy
rail transit system. A few of them are:

1. I do not feel the issue of property acquisition and adequate reimbursement has been fully
addressed. What about loss of. business during relocation and construction and decreased value
already occurring due to anticipation of acquisition and/or lengthy disruption ?

2. The immense adverse visual impact to Honolulu has been minimized and not adequately
described. W need to have good, easily understood descriptions of the many stations planned as
e
they will impact a large area that includes schools, homes and businesses. The size of these
stations needs to be explained in detail..... footprint of the station, height and amount of land
the
surrounding each one needed for parking, bus accommodation, etc. How are they to be protected
from vandalism, graffiti, and criminal activity?

3. What happens when we have a power outage like the one during a recent storm. This is not
something speculative. This will happen. How do you propose getting people off of the trains
and out of the stations?

4. What accommodation is there for luggage (assuming an airport route) and other iarge items
people will need to be able to carry on a train, either to a place of work or back to their cars
after shopping.

There simply has not been an honest presentation of the impact of the proposed rail system on
businesses and residences on the route, nor the disruption of traffic during a very lengthy
construction period. What recourse does a resident of an apartment have when he finds he has a
noisy train running in front of his lanai every few minutes, blocking his view, ruining his life
and making his apartment worth zero? is the city prepared to deal with the many law suits that
are inevitable?

Yours truly,

cc: Gov. Linda Lingle
cc: Honolulu City Counc~l


Phone: (808) 768-8305 Fax: (808) 768-4730 internet: www.honoluiu.gov

MUFI HANNEMANN WAYNE Y. YOSHIOKA
MAYOR DIRECTOR

SHARON ANN THOM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

February 16,2010

Ms. Shirley Hasenyager
235 Kuuhoa Place
Kailua, Hawaii 96734-2734

Dear Ms. Hasenyager:


the Draft EIS. The following addresses comments regarding the above-referenced submittal:

Your letter will be answered in the same manner as it was submitted.

Section 4.4.3 of the Final €IS presents the mitigation associated with acquisitions,
displacements, and relocations for full and partial property acquisitions.
Section 4.18.1 of the Final €IS lists the proposed mitigation measures to reduce
adverse economic hardships for existing businesses (including small businesses)
along the project alignment during construction. The City has a right-of-way team
that has contacted each potentially affected parcel owner to discuss potential
project impacts on their respective property. All property acquisitions and
relocations are subject to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act, and the City will follow those procedures. Where
relocations will occur, compensation will be provided to affected property owners,
businesses, or residents in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws
and will follow the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property
Acquisition Policies Act.

Page 2
February 16,2010

Chapter 2 of the Final EIS shows the location and extent of all project stations in
Figures 2- 17 through 2-37. In addition, visual effects of the system are
addressed in Section 4.8of the Final EIS. As discussed in Section 8.4of the
Final EIS, the City is conducting workshops with communities that will have rail
stations. The purpose of the workshops is to engage the public about rail stations
and provide opportunities for residents to contribute ideas about the appearance
of station entryways in their areas. Ideas generated at the workshops will be
incorporated into the station planning process. For more information and to get
involved in this process, please visit the project website at
www,h s p l a l u l m .
---
---

Stations will be patrolled and will be closed between midnight and 4 0 a.m.
:0
Materials and textures will be graffiti-resistant. Physical deterrents, such as
plantings, will be used where appropriate. Graffiti removal is an anticipated
maintenance activity.

3. Since trains and rail stations will be electrically powered, the system's
infrastructure is being designed to handle service disruptions. For example,
trains will draw power from many points along the route, so an outage in a few
areas should not disrupt service to the remainder of the system. If electrical
power is lost system-wide, then train brakes are designed to stop the rail cars
even without power. Lights will stay on in trains and stations; backup batteries
will provide lighting for several hours. The train operations center will
communicate with passengers via the public address system and intercom to
provide guidance. If power is restored within a short time, service will resume.
With a prolonged outage, the operations center will direct passengers to exit the
trains and walk along a lighted emergency walkway on the guideway to the
nearest station. For those unable to exit rail cars, help will be provided by
emergency responders and transit star Passengers will be met at the train
station by a coordinated response from emergency responders and City
transportation workers.

4. The luggage policy for the system is not final, but the concept of the policy will be
to allow luggage that does not interfere with the safety or comfort of other
passengers.

The exact impact of construction activity on traffic is not yet known. As discussed
in Section 3.5.6 of the Final EIS, a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Plan will be
developed in advance by the contractor with approval from the City and the
Hawaii Department of Transportation. The MOT Plan will identify measures to
mitigate temporary construction-related effects on transportation and will address
roadway closures for streets identified in Table 3-27 of the Final EIS. As stated in
I
Section 4.18. of the Final EIS, several public involvement strategies will be used
to inform businesses and the public about construction activities, including
roadway detours.

Page 3
February 16, 2010

As stated in Section 4.10.3 of the Final EIS, the Project will cause no severe
noise impacts. Moderate impacts will occur at upper floors of a few high-
rise buildings (as shown in Table 4-18 in the Final EIS). With the recommended
mitigation in place (sound absorbing material and wheel skirts), the noise analysis
indicates that the new noise generated by the Project will be lower than the
existing noise levels in most places.

The project design includes an integrated noise-blocking parapet wall at the edge
of the guideway structure that extends 3 feet above the top of the rail. The
parapet wall will substantially reduce ground-level noise.

Wheel skirts will increase the benefit from the parapet wall at locations above the
elevation of the track. The use of sound-absorptive materials below the tracks in
the areas that will experience moderate noise impacts will reduce the Project
noise levels from the upper floors to below the impact level. Once the Project is
operating, noise levels will be re-measured to confirm that there are no noise
impacts from the Project.

Section 4.8.3 of the Final EIS discusses the general consequence of the changes
to visual conditions due to the presence of the elevated guideway and states that,
"residents living in high-rise buildings adjacent to the project alignment will
experience visual changes as a result of the Project."

The Economic Activity section of the Draft EIS (Section 4.2) did not evaluate the
impact of the Project on property values because those values are subject to
economic forces outside the direct control of the Project. However, as
experienced in other cities, the value of properties with access to transit stations
is substantially higher than for properties that are distant from the system. In
addition, other development, including retail, businesses, schools, etc., could
occur near transit stations.


p)
p&
WAYNE Y. YOSHIOKA
Director

Enclosure

.
Hawaiian Electric Company, InC. PO Box 2750. Honolulu, Hi 96840.0001

EiS

Department of Transportation Services
650 South King Street, Third Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Re: Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Pmject
Clty R: County of Honolulu, Oahu

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft environmental impact statement
prepared for the above-referencedproject. The following comments were received from the
our Engineering and Power Supply Departments:

(1) EnaineerinqIProiect Manaaement (Earlvnne Oshiro, 543-7825). Numerous existing and
planned HECO overhead and underground facilities will be affected by the project
location and route. HECO will need continued access to our faculties for operation and
maintenance purposes.

(2) EnaineerindSubstation, Protection & Telecommunications (David Arakaki, 543-75931.
Transit facilities in the area of HECO's lwilei 138 kV Substation may conflict with
possible expansion plans for the substation.

(3) Power Suoolv/Power Plant Enaineerinu (Michael Yuen. 543-79981.

(a) Honolulu Power Plant. The transit project proposes to use the Nimitz-Bishop
corner of the Honolulu Power Plant for part of the transit station. This corner of the
Honolulu Power Plant currently has a storage tank that provides propane for power
plant operations. Area is limited at the Honolulu Power Plant, especially during
major maintenance periods, so relocation of this tank and loss of the usable area
would negatively impact HECO's operation and maintenance activities. HECO
requests revision of the station design to avoid the use of the Honolulu Power Plant
property.

(b) Waiau Power Plant. The proposed transit guideway is routed on Kamehameha
Highway in front of the Waiau Power Plant. The plans presented to HECO last
year proposed to eliminate the left turn into Kamehameha Highway coming out of
the power plant because of guideway column placements. This turn is utilized by
iarge Transmission and Distribution vehicles heading in the Ewa direction. These
vehicles can not easily make U-turns so they would have to take a very circuitous
route to head back toward the Ewa direction. HECO requests that the guideway
column placement be relocated to avoid elimination of this turn.

Dept. of Transportation Services
February 6.2009
Page Two

( 4 ) EnaineerinMProiect Manaaement (Rouen Liu. 543-72451. Please note that HECO's
work and associated costs related to the transit project may be subject to approval by
the Public Utilities Commission, State of Hawaii. For this and other planning reasons,
HECO would prefer to coordinate and plan for electrical needs or relocations as soon
as practical.

We appreciate your efforts to keep us apprised of the planning process. As the project
progresses, please continue to keep us informed. We will be better able to evaluate any
effects on our sfstem facilities furthe: along in the project's development. We request that
development plans show ail affected HECO facilities, and address any conflicts between the
proposed plans and HECO's existing facilities. Please foiward the pre-final development
plans to HECO for review.

Should it become necessary to relocate HECO's facilities, please immediately submit a
request in writing and we will work with you so that construction of the project may proceed
as smoothly as possible. Please note that there may be costs associated with any
relocation work, and that such costs may be borne by the requestor. Because any redesign
or relocation of HECO's facilities may cause lengthy deiays, upon determination that HECO
facilities will need to be relocated, HECO shouid be notified immediately in order to
minimize any delays in or impacts on the project schedule.

To coordinate HECO's continuing input in this project, I suggest dealing directly with the points
of contact noted above. Thank you again for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,

Kirk S. Tomita
Senior Environmental Scientist

cc: Ms. Katherine P. Keaioha (OEQC)
E. Oshiro
D. Arakaki
M. Yuen
R. Liu



.
HONOLULU. HAWAII 96813
Phone: (808) 768-8305 Fax: (808) 768-4730 Internet: w.honolulu.gov

MUFl HANNEMANN WAYNE Y. YOSHIOKA
MAYOR DIRECTOR

SHARON ANN THOM
DEPUTY DIRECTOR

February 16, 2010

Mr. Kirk S. Tomita
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 2750
Honolulu, Hawaii 96840-0001

Bear Mr. Tomita:


Preferred Alternative (23 C.F.R. 5 771.125 (a)(l)). This selection was based on consideration of
submittal:

(I)Engineerinq/Proiect Mananement: As presented in Section 4.18.2, Communities and
Neighborhoods, of this Final EIS, "Design criteria will govern all new utility construction outside
of buildings, as well as the support, maintenance, relocation, and restoration of utilities
encountered or affected by project construction."

In addition, coordination will occur with property owners and will include, but not be
limited to: underground utility senlice connections, access or driveway reconstruction, utility
disruption, water service, grounding work, demolition, landscape protection, landscape
restoration, fencing, mail delivery, and garbage collection. The vertical and lateral clearances of
overhead and underground utility lines shall comply with the rules and regulations of the

Mr. Kirk S. Tomita
Page 2
February 16, 2010

appropriate utility agency and Hawaii Administrative Rules during final design and approved by
the utility agencies. This coordination will include notifying and working with HECO regarding
non-State roadways and roadway rights -of-way. Design refinements with all affected HECO
facilities will be developed in close coordination with HECO and the design team as final design
progresses. Access will be maintained to all HECO facilities, though it may be modified in some
locations.

(2) Enaineerina/Substation. Protection & Telecommunications: Preliminary Engineering
(PE) drawings for the lwilei segment will be submitted to HECO for review and coordination by
January 2010. Design coordination will continue through the final design of the Project.

(3) Power S u ~ ~ l ~ / P o Plant Engineering:
wer

(a) Honolulu Power Plant: Locating the Downtown Station at a different site
would avoid use of the Honolulu Power Plant Property, and accordingly, alternative sites
have been investigated, as was described in the HECO Downtown Plant and Leslie A.
Hicks Building Avoidance Alternatives subsection in Section 5.5.2 Historic Sites of the
Final €IS. Avoidance alternatives are limited by Honolulu Harbor and by the geometry of
Nimitz Highway. Several alternative alignments were considered during the Alternatives
Analysis phase, one of which included Queen Street. While this alternative would avoid
the HECO property, it would have impacts on historic resources within the Hawaii Capital
Historic District. Other small shifts of the station entrance were considered and are not
feasible because they would require the demolition of one of the high-rise office buildings
or impact Irwin Park. In addition to considering small shifts of the station entrance, two
other practical avoidance alternatives were evaluated to relocate the Downtown Station
to avoid this property. None of these were feasible design options. Therefore, the
Project will use approximately .2 acres of the HECO property in the Ewa corner of the
property near Bishop Street. PE drawings for the Downtown Station will be submitted to
HECO for review and coordination by January 2010 and design coordination will
continue through the final design of the Project.

(b) Waiau Power Plant: Column design along Kamehameha Highway has been
revised and the left turn onto Kamehameha Highway from the Waiau Power Plant will be
preserved.

(4) Enqineerin~/Proiect Manaaement: Coordination with HECO will be ongoing
throughout the design and construction process. PE design drawings have been submitted to
HECO for the First Construction Phase, East Kapolei to Pearl Highlands. The drawings included
information showing the location of existing HECO facilities and identified relocation
requirements. PE drawings for the Second, Third, and Final Construction Phases will be
submitted to HECO in the schedule shown in Figure 2-43 of the Final EIS. DTS has also
provided HECO with proposed electrical utility relocation plans and comments and suggestions
provided by HECO have been incorporated. Design coordination will continue through the final
design of the Project.

Mr. Kirk S. Tomita
Page 3
February 16, 2010


Very t ly yours,

airy
WAYNE Y. YOSHI~KA
Director

Enclosure

25 Maluniu A V P , Suile 102, PMB 2 8 2 . IKaiIua. HI 96734. PhonelFax: (000) 262-0682 E-inail: htf@lava.ne!

February 2,2009

Mr. Wayne Y. Yoshioka, Director
Deparhnent of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King Street, 3" Floor
I-Ionolulu, Hawaai'i 96813

Mr. 'Ted Matley
FTA Region IX
201 Mission Street, Suite 1650
San Francisco, California 94105

Ikgarding: Honolulu IIigh-Capacity Transit Corridor Project Draft IEnvironmental
Impact Statement/Scction 4(f) Evaluation

The DEIS preface stales, "The purpose of this Draft Environmental Impacl Statcmenl (DEIS) is
to provide ....information necessary to make a11 inrormed dccision, based on a full and open
analysis of costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of alteniativcs considered."

UiiCo~tunately, DEIS does not provide a full and open analysis of the short and long-term
the
direct, indirect and cumulative social and environmental impacls from the various aspects of tile
fixed guideway system.

Chapter 1 Uackground, Purpose and Need
When the Second City concept was introduced it was billed as a place where people
would live and work thus avoiding the long commute into Downtown. Neilher
businesses nor jobs nor infrastructure have kept pace with housing developnielit thus
causing traffic congestion within Kapolei and Ewa and forcing people to still travel
long distances to work.
With more businesses including government offices relocating to Kapolci and a new
large shopping center planned how would ridership on the fixed guideway rider ship be
afkcled?
Figure 1.8 Daily 2007 Transit Trips between Transportation Analysis Areas is totally
uscless. If this diagram is supposed to show all transit trips - car, bicycle, and bus it
missed the point and is nothing but a bewildering maze of blue.

1.6 P o t e ~ ~ t iTraosit Markets
al
"1)cspitc the large growth of aiiploymcnl opportunities in Lhc l<apolci area, population

City and Slate administrative offices move their daily operations to ICapolei and as
other employment grows in thc urca."
What are the direct and indirect itnpacts on residents who must travel further ft.0111
Hawai'i Kei, Aina 'Ii~ina ant1 the Windward side to get to govcrnmcnt operations that
have tnoved koni Downtown to Kapolei?
What arc the direct and impacts on tlie environment and air quality from the adtlitional
vehicle iraffic traveling longer distances to Kapolei for governrncnt services'?
What are Llle time and cost impacts to residents who ride the bus &on1 East Honolulu
and Windward to government ol'fices relocated (i-om Downtown to ICapolci?
Makakilo is expected lo grow by 125%. wllich is 25% niore than Ewa between 2000
ant1 2030 yet there is no transit system projected to coiinect to Makakiio. Why'?

Cbaptcr 2 Alternatives Considered
Operating I'arameters
* 'fhis sectio~i states, "lt is envisioned [hat bicycles would be allowctl on trains."
At what point in proccss will the decision be tnadc on whether to permit bicycles
on each train?
Will the public have opportunities to connnent on what types OFbicycle fi~cilitics
are ncedcd?
Table 2-5 Fixed Guideway Operating Assumplions
What is the "branch-line headway?"
lIow lnatiy ti~nes along the entire fixed guideway route will trains reach 50 ~niics
per hour or greater?
At what points along the route will trains reach 50 miles per hour'?
At 50 miles an hour what is tlie dislnnce needed for a train to stop'?
How many trains will be ruuming to meet the 3 to 10 tiiinute time sc11cdule at each
stop?
What is tlie pi~rpose having hot11 elevators and escalators at cach station?
of
What are thc maintenance costs per year For all the proposed elevators and
escalators'?
What is tlie yearly maintenance schedule for all elevators and escalators?
Will bicycle parking be perrnittetl at eitcli statioti, train platfonn and train stop?
How many spaces will be allotted for bicycle parking at each station'?
What measuses will be used to pwvent Hawaii's liomcless from sleeping under
tlie stations, platfor~ns overhead guideway?
and
What measures will bc used to prevent gral'liti on tlie columns, stations, platforms
and *
What maintenance procedures will be to get ride of graffiti and stay on top of' it so
that the fixed guideway system does not become a glaring mess of spray paint?
Figure 2- 19.
What are the height, width and length of tlie Transit Center Bridge'? Will there bc
20 hour lighting and security?

Figure 2-20 Pcarl Highlands Station
What are the dimensions ofthe station - height, width'?
How many cars will the parking garage hold7
Will the garage be enclosed and have security and lighting?
What liours will the garage be open?
Will the parking garage be a sliared use with Pearl I~Iighlands
Shopping Center? IS
so, will tlie Center contribute to the constructio~i tnaintenance costs?
and
Figure 2-22. Aloha Stiidinm Station
Wliat are tlic height, witllh and length ofthc Elevated Connecting Bridge'? Will it
be covered and havc security a i ~lighting'?
t

Clt:~pter Transportation
3
3.2.1 Existitlg Travel Pattents
What is the expected pcrccutagc of total daily trips of air passcngcrs that now use
ground transportation that will use the transit system to and from the airport?
What percentage of those h.aveling in the corridor, and 1101originating or endi~ig at
work, will use the fixed guideway systcni?
The DEIS is silent on what the public land ut~der fixed guitleway system in
the
between columns will be used for. Without infomation on specific uses at specilic
sites it is inipossible to envision or assess direct or impacts ol'tl~e
proposed uses. 'I'l~e
FEES tnust provide inhrrnation on the types of uses proposed for each column-to-
coiun~n segment undcr the fixed guideway.

3.4. Petore Coriditiotts and Effects; Baild Alternatives
Reverse Cornmute Markets
?'he IIEIS states that "Al~nost four-fold iticrcasc in employiiient is estimatcd by
2030 for Kapolei, the quick aotl direct access provided by the fixed guideway
system from PUC 1)evelopmcnt Plan area locations would help atldress the
denand of future reverse colnmute illarkets."
How many new jobs tloes "four-fold" represent?
What data was ~ ~ s toddetermine that there would be a 'Tottr-Sold" e~nploytnetit
e
increase in Kapolei by 2000?
What is thc estimated pelcentage of students and faculty living in I+apolei, Ewn,
Waicmac, Maknkilo and North Shore that now attend UFI Manoa are anticipated
to attend the UH Wcst Oal~u campus?
What is the estiniated percentage of UI-I Manod students and faculty (hat will
travel to IJlH Wcst Oahu for classes?
What other government offices are planned for relocation to ECapolei or Ewa?
What is "the sum oftlie travel tinies in between" Izast ICapolci ant1 the I'earlridge
Station?
Changes in Transit antl Private Vehicle Demand
What data was used to determine that the commnte-to-work transit share of the
Ewa to Downtown travel would increase from 23 % to bctweeti 54 and 56
pcrccnt?
Access to Fixed Cruitleway Stations
Itlentilj. tlie ways that tlie 2030 No Uuiltl conditions would effect the "gradual

deterioration of service reliability" of bus service to parts of the island outside of
(he study corridor?
What data was used to determine that acccss to stations by bus or wallting would
be 85% of "total trips in the a.m. two-hour peak period?" If this is the case then
why are large parking facilities ant1 park-and-ridc lots plati~iedfor only 15% of
the pro.jectcd ridersliip?

3.4.3 Effects 011 Streets ant1 Iligliways
Table 3-21 Coluniii Placement Effects on Streets aid 1-ligllways
What are the direct and indirect irnpacts on travel tinie by drivers at tllc sites
where metlii~nstrips will be expanded and travel lanes reduced?
What are the direct and illdirect impacts on pedestrians at locations where
sidewalks will be eliminated?"

3.4.4 Effects on Parking, Bicycle and I'etlestrian Pktcilities ant1 Freight
Effects 011I'arking Supply
The DEIS states that an "Estimitted 820 to 960 off-street and 230 to 250 on-street
parking spaces would be removcd as result of Build Alternatives ..."
The DEIS further states that, "Future development around station areas-new land uses
near statiotis could change tile detnand for and supply of parking. These factors could
influence how people clioose to access the stations and where tliey would park."
While acknowledging tlle loss of parlting and spill over parking into neighborhootls
there is no inforrnatio~i short a~itl
on long term eliccts on resitlents a~id
neighborhoods
impacted by spill over m d construction parlting or businesses that depend on street
parking.
* What are the direct and intlirect irnpacts to neighborhoods and businesscs near and
adjacent to the lixcd guideway li.om spill over and construction'?
Idcntify the areas that will loose off-street parking and how many parking spaces will
be lost at cach locatioti?
Identi@ the areas that will lose on-street parking and how many spaces will be lost at
each location'?
Will ally of the removed off-street ant1 on-street parking spaces be replaced? If so
how many and where?
@
What are tlle direct, indirect end cumdativc impacts of removing on and offstrect on
people attending community events and facilities such as parks, libraries, and
schools'?
Table 3-24
What is the safety risks to bike riders when sharcd roadways are redutced from 16 to
14 feel and from 14 feet to 1 3 t'eet?
= If the city wants to encourage bicycle ridi~ig a mode ~Ct~ansportation
as throughout
the island and to and Croni t1.atisit thcn bike riding should be made safer and not more
dangerous as the proposed lane reductions seem to be doing.

3.4.5 Mitigation of Long-term Traiisportatioo Effects
Stating that "there is available isarking oti nearby side strccts to acconimodatc people
currently utsing parking spaces that be lost to guidcway construction" only increases

crowding of neighborhoods and is not an acceptable mitigation measure.
Neighborhood overcrowding from parking is a serious safety iintl aesthetic problem
so tlie issue sliould not be casttally brushed aside but must resolvetl though
coriimutiity involvement.
Infonnalion fro111the "detailed surveys for tlie alTccted areas" regarding necessary
parking placement should have been included in this DEIS so that the direct, indirect
atid cumulative impacts from loss of parking, construction and spill over parking
could have been evaluatcd.

3.5 Constrection-reIi1te(1 Effects on Tra~lsportalion
3.5.1 Co~istrmtio~i Staging I'lans
Construction staging areas and plans should have bcen identified stid the locations
included in this DEIS. Without infortilation on staging sites it is impossible to assess
the direct, indirect and cumulative social and envirotiincntal inipacts of each site.
It is unacceptable to state that "Staging areas are not expected to cause a subshtitial
effect" when locations arc not knowti and environtnental, social and cultural i~iipacts
have not been evaluatcd.
Will there be a public involvement component witliiil each effected cotnmunity in the
selection of construction staging site?
= In Kailua unbeknown to the cotnmunily, a contractor contracted with a private
landowner to use a parcel of land, adjacent to a wetland, for a construction staging.
While i~si~ig site the contractor placed fill in a portion of the wetland. Vigilant
thc
residents spent severdl years documenting the infraction, which resulted in fities to
the landowner atid contractor, and partial restoration of tlie wetland. Play tliis scc~iario
out over the length of thc 20-mile fixed guiderail sysleni and years of delay and
washed environtnental resources could be tlie result of not identifying and evaluating
constrt~ction sites in this disclosi~re
docoment.

3.5.2 Coastr~~ctio~~-related on l'ra~rsitService
Effects
* 'The DEIS fails to evaluate the direct, indirect and cutilulativc impacts on 'Ii~ntli-Van
services and residents wlieci bus stops are relocated and bus routes are changed during
construction at all segments of the 20-milc fixed guideway systern.

3.5.4 Constraction-related Effects 011 Parking
It is unsatisfactory that the "precise effects on parking during conslruction" will be left to
the individual contractors to hantlie. Data on constructioti site seleclion, construction and
conim~mity parking tieeds and mitigation measures sl~ould have bee11included in this
D E E so that social, enviuonmetital ant1 cutiiulative i~iipacts o ~ ~be evaluated in a
c ld
compreliensive manner.

3.5.7 Mitig21tio11of Constraction-relntetl Effects
Maintenance of T~afficPla11
Will the proposcd "extensive public information program" itlcludc a public irivolvenicnt
component 01 will it just consist of information distributton?

4
Cl~apter E~ivirunrnerital
Asillysis, Consequences, ti1111 Mitigation

4.1 Land tJse
* 'L'his section touts all the proposed and anticipated devclopniclit projects but fails to
mention that not all permits for development have been sought or received.
'Tliis is the built it slid they will come scenario. As pointed out the fixcd guideway system
begins and ends in an empty field.
= Why the fixed guideway didn't begin in Downtow~i work outwards is a myslcry. One
;md
key reason, we believe, is that it would have been much liartler sell but would have
provided a meaningful transportation option in t~affic congcstcd areas. Beginning in a11
open fcld surso~it~ded compliait and willing landowners is a much easier sell.
with
@ The u~ldevelopedfield where the fixed guideway system begins is far from most rcsidcntial
areas in Kapolei so people wanting to use the rail system will need to use their cars to
reach tlie station. 'The DEIS is silent on whether new bus routes will be added to
accoinmodate people who want to take thc tmin or where the bus stops will be locatetl.
Because the Kapolei station is far away from Lhe Kapolei business district people travelilig
to worlc in Kapolei will need to use buses to get to work oucc it1 Kapolei. We assulne that
new bus routes will bc created so that people can get to their jobs but the DEIS docs not
provide information on bus routes or tlie time it will take to get to the Kapolei busiliess
district in tlie traffic cotigcstcd ICapolei from the Kapolci station. If the bus travel tirue
combined with the rail travel time is to long or co~nparable travel by car people could
to
opt to drive from other destinations instead of using the rail system tliils negating the
purpose(s) of building the rail.
* 'The 1:EIS must provide car and bus travel route and time informidion to and from the
Icapolei station for residents living in Kapolei ant1 infonilation on travel time from
various locatiotis along the fixcd guideway route for people traveling to the bl~siiiess
district for work.
What is mcant by the statelnent "At1 assessliielit of 1)otetltial changes in lalid use that could
result koni thc itnproved mobility that would be pmvided by the long-lenn operation of
tlie I'roject?"
a 't'he DEIS states that tlic "Waianilc elid of the project that would serve the area where both
population atid employmctit are forecasted to grow by approx 400% area includes West
Oahii campus, Salvation Almy Kroc Center aud a master-planned devclopmet~t I-lo'opili.
All are plallned to open between 2009 atid 2012. With cotiin~cscial space envisio~ied to
grow to 7.1 millioli sq C cotnparcd to 8.4 million sq it in Honolulu today."
t
= What are the direct, indirect atid cumulative impacts of all the above i n c ~ a s e tpopulation
l
on the rail system and traCfic coligestion within Kapolci?
What percentage of tlie 7.1 million sq 11 of commnercial space will be new space, what
percentage exists and what pcrcenvage is proposed developments that have received
perliiits to build? What are the direct and indirect impacts on cotninercial busi~iessesin
I-Ionolulu from tlic projcctetl co~iimercial growth in Ewa ant1 Kapolei'?
With the West Oahu campus projected to have 7,600 stutlcnts and 800 staff and Faculty by
2020 what are the impacts on UH Manoa student enrollmcnt?
Thc DEIS failed to idenlitL when each of the proposed developtnellts - West Oahu campus,
Kcoc Center, Ilo'opili and new shoppitig center on I-fawaiian I-lome lands, is projected to
be developed in relation to colistructio~i tlic Kapolei transit station. Without this
of
informati011it is impossible to evalrtitte tlial direct, indirect and cumulative iliipacts on the
environment, water resources, public facilities atid traffic. This infomlalion must be in

the FEIS.
I t is contradictory to say that 1'01)spccial districts within EWI and Kapolci "would restrict
developtncnt in agriculture and open space areas" when the Kapolei station, West Hawaii
Oahu Campus, I<roc Center ancl I-Io'opili tlevclopment are all projected to be built on
land current dcsigtiated agriculture.
If TOD "could occur bcforc the fixetl guideway stations are constructed" how does thc
crcation of TOD special districts prevent the conversion of agricultural land to urban
uses?
The DEIS states that approximately 80 acres ofprime hrmlanci and 8 acres of statewide
important farmlands would be acquired but does not identify where thcsc lands arc
located and present uses. What is the county zoning for the 88 aces of agricilltilral Iantl?
'This information must be provided in the FEIS.
The DElS identifies the liighly successfi~l Aloun Farm as tlie largest propcrty facing
displacement through acquisition ibr the 45 acre maintenance Iicility. Iiow much of the
Aloun Farm is prime anciior statewide important agricultural land?
What is the City zoning for the Aloun h r m ?
The DEIS states "Considering that the amount of affected farnlland is such a small
proportion of ail agricultural land on Oahu, thc cffcct would not be significant and no
lnitigatiotl would bc required." What an insensitive statement. Thc farm is significant to
the operators, workers and gencral public who enjoy thc li.esh produce and picking
pumpkins in the pompkin patch, the only place on Oahu where that is possible.
= Does the statement that no mitigation is required mean that the Aloun Farm operators, who
we assunie lease the land although that information is 11ot in thc DEIS, will not bc
con~pensatedfor financial losses once the land is no Ionget available ibr L'arrning?
While the DElS states that land will bc acquircd for transportation use the DEIS is silcnt on
whether changes in zoliing and land use designations and what types of zoning and
tlesignation changes will he sought. 'This inhrniation must bc provided in the PEIS.
What is tlie present zoning for each parcel that will bc acquired?
llow rrlany zoning changes and land use dcsignation changes are anticipated for the entire
20-mile fixed guidcway system'?
At what point(s) in the process will zoning and land usc designations be sought?
While the Ewa Ilevelopment Plan is citcd as pomoting "higher-density residcntial and
comluercial uses along a major rapid transit corricior linking Kapolei wit11 the PUC" this
disclosure docmuent does not provide data on what that would look like. Nor does this
disclosure document analyze the dircct, indirect and cumulative i~npacts public
on
facilities, utilities, communities and neighborliootls, population shift, traffic and
businesscs along the corridor from higher and more concentralcd development. The FEIS
must provide that information.

Mitigation
* The DEIS states that, "Based on the relatively small nurubcr of parcels affected by full
acquisitions, the effects on different types of land uses in the study corridor woi~ld be
minimal."
Wc would 1101 know if the "effects" "would be minimal" because precise incornlation on
each parcel that will be partially or totally acquircd was not givcli in this disclosure
doci~metit.'Thus, making it impossible to comment on any impact, direct, intlirecl or

comulativc, o t ~
ncighborlioods, comtnunitics, businesses, environmental and i~attu.al
resources and land use patterns.

4.3 Acquisitions, Displnceme~~t, Relocation
and
?'he DElS provides no inklrmation on public Gncilily sites land acquisitions. ?'he exact
location is not identified nor is information providcd on thc present 11scof the land. It is hard
to imagine that thcrc will not be itnpacts by the land acquisition yet without information it is
i~l~possible evaluate the direct, indirect and ci~~nulative
to impacts.
I-lonolulu Cotumitnity College (0.18 acres)
What are the direct ant1 i~lclirect
impacts to thc Collcgc from removing 0.18
acres?
Will buildings atltl stude~~ts affected'!
be
Whal purpose is the land being acquired for and how will thal usc impact the
collegc?
Waipahu High
?'he D13S states that acquisition of 0. I G acres effects a "small number of
tetnporary or pennancnt buildings may be tlisplaced or 11my rcquirc tninor
modification."
What are the direct and iildirect impacts from either displacelnent or
inodifications L the school, students and ijculty?
o
temporary andlor permanent buildings will be tlisplacetl or rnodificd?
liow t n a ~ ~ y
Are there siifficient classroon~s other buildings to accomtnodate the students,
or
uses or fi~ultily will be displacetl by the land acquisition?
that
What will the acquircd land bc nscd for and how will that use impact classrooms,
students or other school facilitics?
Leeward Community College (3.94 acres)
What are the tlircct a ~ ~indirect imp;tcts to the collegc, students and hculty kom
tl
the acquisition of 3.94 ricres?
What will thc acquircd land bc used for7 Flow will that use impact susrounding
buildings, classrooms and open space?
Does the acquisition leave thc area unusable'?
' 111-1Matma 1Jrban Gardctl Center (. 16 acrc)
What are the direct and indirect impacts of acquiring 0. I6 acres of the Urban
Garden Center?
Will the Center still be viable, will programs and opportunities be lost or will the
garden havc to be relocated because of the acquisition?
Whal will the acquired land be used for and l ~ o w that use impact the garden?
will
AI'Cectcd Commitnity facilities
Bethesda 'l'etnplc Apostolic Church (.05 partial acquisition oFlaild)
Alpha Omega Christian Fellowship (displaced as part of fill1 acquisition of
co~ninercialbuilding where ch~trch locatcd)
is
Ni~nitz Ficld (.58 acres
Richardson Ficld (.05)
Kc'ehi Lagoon (2.88 acres)
Aloha Stadium (.OX acres)
l'earl City I'ost Ollice (.06 acres)

Federal Huildiiig 300 Ala Moarla (.34 acres)
Oahu C:orrectional Facility (.2 1 acres)
City ofice building (not itlentified)
Fort Shaftcr Artliy l<escrvatio~i (acreage atid location not given)
"Military properties inciutle lands t~sed military operations as well as
for
residential acco~ilnlodutiollsibs enlisted 1lersotincl and their Families"
Makalapa Naval IIousing (acreage aod location not given)
I'carl Harbor Complex (aclcage and location not given)
Naval reservatiol~ (acreage ai~cllocation not givcn)
* The DEIS states that "mcasu~.esto reduce adverse effects on community facilities would be
evaluated during future tlesign. Mitigation efforts woultl involvc coordination with
individual property owners as necessary."
Will there be opportunities for comtnutlity discussioos on the i~ilpacts public
of
land acquisition? IF so, idenlib the opportutiities for public involvement.
While land acquisition [nay be within the law residents, busincsses and ptthlic institutions
should be givcn greater respect than to just be identilied and mediated. After all these are
people, lively hootls, and places where are children lcarn atid play. In some cases, as with
the Banana I'atch, a whole comtn~itlitywill be displaced. Will they ever get back the
lifestyle they have now - don't know and we don't think ;inyotw will ever know hccause
mediation will happen behind closed doors.
If the parcels slated for parcel or litil ilcquisition were only idetitified "basetl 011 coilccptual
engineering drawings" when will the actual acquisitions be known? Without accurate
acquisitioti data it is inipossible to atialyze the dircct, indirect and cutnulalive itnpacts on
public facilities, traffic, cotnmuoities, neigliborhoods arid environmental and tlat~lral
reSo1IrceS.
Where will property owners, public and private, be officially notified that their property
will he partially or litlly acquired? Mow tiincli timc notice will they be giveti?
What policies atid procedures are in place to ensure that people and businesses that are
displaced will have "comparable housing th.& is decent, safe and sanilnry . ..and
affordable" atid that businesses will have equivalent conimercial spaces?
* The DEIS slatcs that "Once it was determined that a parcel would be acquired, the
displacctner~t relocation of residences, businesses and uses werc analyzed." What arc
and
tlic resc~lts investigntion? Why weren't the results put into this disclosure docurnent so
the
that the direct, indirect atid curiiulative inlpacts from full atid partial acquisition could bc
evaluated? 'That iafi~rmatton st be provided in thc FEIS
nus

4.4 Comrnu~~ily Services and facilities
Public and comiiiunity services within % tnile of project alignrncnt
= 'rhe DEIS states that "Countless community facilities, schools, churches, parks and
utilities, listed below, have been identified as being witlii~t'/? a mile oftbe fixed
gnitleway ."
@ Other than a list of affected facii~tics iriforiiiatioti is providcd on how propelties andlor
no . ~

services will bc dircctly or indirectly impacted.
How was the use o f a % mile as a ti~easitrenient deterliiinetl?
m At what point(s) within tlic 26-foot witlc fixed guideway system is the '/z mile tiieasarcd
fionl?

Without information on wherc thc '/z mile begins md ends at each point in the 20-mile md
without showing exact location of properties within the112 mile it is irnpossible to
evaluate direct impacts on buildings, rcsidctits, businesses and conimunitics. 'Illat
information must be provided it1 tlie DEIS.
* 'The DEIS does not provide any infort~ration how many school within a % tiiile of thc
on
fixcd guideway will he itilpacted by noise and at what level. This is critical because if the
noise is severe then cl;~ssroomsiuid other school facilities miglit requirc air conditioning,
which will he a liuge purchase and installation cost as well as yearly tnaititenancc and
electrical costs. This infortnation must be prcscntcd in lhc FEIS.
How liiaiiy scliools will be itnpactcd by noise froni the fixed guitleway system and what
will that impact be to each school'?
Sincc school facilities we owtied by tlie state but will be impacted by a city project which
arm of government will pay for the costs associated with air conditioning'?
What are the noise impacts from tlie fixed guideway system on outside events held at
schools and other public facilities along the 20-mile fixcd guideway route?
The DEIS idcntificd 58 schools within % mile of project alignment
The followi~ig schools are adjacent to aligntncnt and directly impacted
Honolulu Community College (0.18 acres all alternatives)
Kalakaua Middle School
Kalihi Kai I?lementary School
Makalapa Elenientary
Moanalua iligli
Pearl City elementary
St. Joseph Elementary (private)
Waipahu Fligli (. 16 acres a s ~ i ~ at l l temporary or pertnanent buildings may be
i of
tlisplaced or [nay require minor modification in addition to the required purchasc
of narrow strip of land all alter~ialives)
Waipahu lnlermediatc
I.eeward Coiilinunity College (3.94 acres all)
Maoanlus/Aies community School
UI-I Manoa Urban Garden Center (. 16 acre All)
I-Ioly Fatnily Catholic Academy (privat)
.Joy of Cli~.istI'reschool (private)
The DEIS identified the following cotnmunity fiicilities as being directly affccted
Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church (partial acquisition of land (.05)
Alpha Ornega Christian Fello~vship (displr~cenicnt)
Niniitz Field (.58 acres)
Richardson Field (.05)
Kc'elii 1,agoon (2.88 acres)
Aloha Stadium (.OX)
Pearl City Post Office (.06 acres)
Federal Building 300 Ala Moana (.34 acres)
Oahu Correctional Facility (.21 acres)
City office building (not identified)
Fort Shirfter Army Reservation (location not given)
* "Military properties inclutlc lands l~scd military operations as wcll as
for

residential accomn~odations enlisted personnel and their hmilies"
ibr
Makalapa Naval I-lousing (i~crcage location not givcn)
and
l'earl ilarbor Complex (acreage and location not given)
Naval reservation (acreage loclition not given)
'The DEIS identified 93 religious institulions ant1 being within % mile with 19 being
a(ljacen1
The DEIS identified 5 cernetcrics within % mile, with 2 atljaccnt
Thc DEIS identified 6 libraries, 5 police stations, 3 lire statio~is 6 medical facilities
and
within %mile of pro,ject the alig~uncnt.
'l'lic DI3S identified 64 parklands and recreatio~i facilities with % mile
Irwin Metnovial Park (public)
Mother Waldron Park (public)
'Thc Mawai'i Community 1)evclopmenl Authority's Master I'lan identifies this
park as a liiajor community aliicnity that is crucial open park space as Kaka'ako
redevelops into a dense residc~~tial Sincc the lixed guideway skirls the
area.
lnaulta boundary of the park what are the direct and indirect impacts on the
park and people visiting the park from having an elevated rail systerii so close?
Aiea Bay State Recreational Area which received Water and Land Funding are
Sec 6(t) xsources
Aloha Stadiu~ii
Navy Housing Community Park (private)
Navy-Marine Golf Course (~nilitary)
Ilichardsoti Field (niilitasy)
Neal S . Blaisdell Park (public) "Received Water and Lalid Fundi~ig Sec G(t)
are
West 1,och Golf Course (public)
Walker I'ark (public)
Future Queen Street park (public)
Ke'ehi Lagoon Park
Tlic above lists show that a lot of properties, both public and private, will be impacted
by the 20-mile fixed guideway system. This is a huge unprecctlentcd undertaking fix
our island with unknown itiiplications and ramifications all along the route. Yet, neither
data on each property uor a cumulative effects analysis was provided in this disclosure
document. Thus, making it impossible to understand or asses direct, indirect or
cumulative impacts to the direct properties, public facilities, utilities, communities,
neighborhoods and environmental or natural resources.
While identification of social, rccreational, and public facilities is critical lists by
themselves are meaningless. There is absolutely no way to evaluate tlirecl, indirect and
cumulative impacts to a particular site or collectively when informalion is not provided.
The DEIS docs not provide information on why the office building that houses the
Alpha Church will be purchased. That inforniation must be provided in tlie I'EIS.
What are the direct and indirect impacts to tlie vendors at the Aloha Stadium swap meet
from the t k e d guideway systenx and station planned for the stadium'?
* It is unacceptable to state in this disclosure document that, "Measures to reduce the
adverse effects on individual comtnu~lity facilitics would be evaluated during
preliminary and filial engineering design." The time to "evaluate effects" is during the
disclosure phase not after.

Wliat measures that will be useti "to retlucc tlie adverse clTccts on intlividual
co~innu~iityfacilities" tnust be provided in tlie FEIS.
Since this avoidance to detail path has bccn chosen wc prcdict that there will be
countless delays when residents become aware of the threats to their schools,
community facilities and neighborhoods.

4.4.3 Enviror~rnentalConseqtlences ant1 ~Mitigatiorl
* While tlic DEIS states that properties that meet the Federal criteria under Section 4(f)
resource have been evaluated that evaluation information is not in this disclosure
document.
Why weren't the evaluation findings published in this disclosure doecument so that
scviewcrs could colnlilelit on possible direct, indirect and cucnulative impacts on the

l'ublic Services Comtron to all B~tild Altcrr~atives
Tttc DEiS ~iietitio~is a Maitttenaoce Traffic I'lan will be developed during fitla1
that
design to manage traffic and emergency services during constroction.
Since traffic anti availability ol'cmergcncy services will be major problems dnring all
phases of construction and after con~pletion the 20-mile fixed guideway system why
of
wasn't a Maititena~icc 'Traffic I'laii developed and included in this disclosi~re
document? That information ttiust be provided in the FEIS.

4.5 Neighborhoods
* "['he DEIS states that tlie "I'rqject transects 9 city-designated neigltborhoods." "I-Iow is
a "tlesignated neighborhood" defined and where are tlie nine neighborhoods located?
Wliat approvals will the City ~leed from the Hawai'i Co~n~nunity Developnlent
Authority (I-ICDA) before construction of the fixed guideway can begin in K,&a'ako'?
What is the meaning of "projects life cycle?"
'The DEiS states that "The trailsit agency could experie~ice types of crimes; crinies
3
against persons, cri~nes ilivolvirlg transit propel.ty and other crimes coniniitted on
transit property." What are the other crimcs tliat are anticipated to occur on transit
property?
'low many security guards will be hired? I-low many will be statiotied at each station'?
Will there be security personnel at each station and platforrn the 20 hours of operation?
Will there he security personnel on each train?
Will there be surveillance cameras at each station and platforni?
Transit Oriented Devclopmeltt is being cncouraged around Lratisit scations yct there is
no information about the types of zoning changes tliat will be sought at each location to
allow for higher density development. Witltoot location and zoning information it is
i~npossihlc cvrtluate tlie indirect a ~ i d
to cu~nulative itnpacts of higher density on
infrastructure, traffic, businesses, public and co~nmunityfacilities and adjacent
commu~iities. Infomiation on zoning atid stations identified for TOD most be provided
in the I'IZIS.
The IIEIS states that "T1ie1.e is a public perception that community cohesion would be
adversely affected by the I'roiect. Because the Pro,ject would be constructed primarily

Record Details for Honolulu Rail Transit DEIS Comment

Record Details for Honolulu Rail Transit DEIS Comment

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