1. Diamond offshore Ameratex Energy Ltd
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle led the event ('Honolulu Rail Project Groundbreaking'), along with
all the incumbent state executive and legislative government officials. Early this month, the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved its initial funding of $185 million ('Honolulu Rail
Construction Gets Federal Approval'). Yet despite all these major developments, the opposition
led by Hawaii former governor Ben Cayetano remains relentless inside their crusade against the
rail project (Associated Press, 'Anti-Honolulu Rail Candidate Releases FTA emails'). As Don
Newman writes, the oppositions' main arguments are because follows: 'you don't want it, you can't
afford it, plus we can't keep it.'
Don Newman of the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, together with all additional rail critics argued
that you don't want it. But I am thinking where does Newman live? Does he live in Makakilo or
inside Kapolei? For the rail transit project was especially intended to ease the lengthy commutes
of those people who reside in Leeward and West Oahu.
Imagine a single mom, with four kids. She functions Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 each
morning to 5:00 inside the afternoon. But considering she lives in Ewa, she has to get up as early
as 4:00 each morning, plus leave her kids by 5:00 to get her to work on time. She suffers not only
missing breakfast, however, likewise she loses quality time to be with her children. All because
she has to come to function on time, otherwise, they won't have food found on the table. Many of
the fellows, whom live inside the coastal regions of Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Waianae, and Makakilo
(and all others) are going from such dragging commutes every day. And the Honolulu Rail Transit
project is designed to end the agonies of those people.
The need rail is so consequential which by hampering its construction we are not only losing
money, however, you are really depriving a lot of our individuals an perfect method of practical
living (Associated Press, 'Questions'). How could a few of us afford it? And how could a few of us
merely politicize it so recklessly? For it's not only all of us, the persons of Hawaii that are
concerned inside this project. Let us not overlook the welfare of the future decades which is
moreover at stake inside this project.
On funding, Cayetano asks why can't the City and County of Honolulu spend the funds rather to
aging sewers and wastewater systems? (Associated Press, 'Cayetano') I agree with him that the
aging sewers ought to be replaced. However shouldn't which issue be directed to the City
Council? Because the local legislators are the ones responsible for all project proposals and
initiatives. For our lawmakers have to deliberate on all of the projects proposed. They have to
research plus weigh all of them; on how substantial the needs may be, to enact them. Personally, I
am amazed that somebody because 'huge' and influential like Cayetano does not learn how which
particular procedure functions. Moreover, I can't believe that He refuses to learn where the funding
of rail is coming from.
On its cost, you can't contest that a project value $5.5 billion is indeed expensive. However is

2. the burden only on the state alone? The funding of the rail transit is actually from 2 sources: the
FTA (which represents the federal government), plus the Hawaii General Excise tax (HGET), and
which was lengthy time approved by the City Council. According to the research study, entitled 'A
Rough Ride on the Oahu Rail Transit Project,' researchers Frank Genadio and Amarjit Singh
sighted which the HGET heighten went effect in 2007, plus collections����-ten % of the
heighten was directed to state's general fund-were guided into mayor's unique fund for transit. We
have lengthy been funding this project. The half a dollar increase in the HGET imposed to you is
specifically meant for this project.
For the Honolulu Rail is the largest 'aloha' you will give to the state and our folks. The project
won't really create 11,000 jobs, yet might better the quality of living ('Honolulu On the Move'). It's
advantageous for our environment, because we will less depend on gasoline that pollutes the air.
('Rail Benefits'). And there would be more businesses which can spawn from its creation, as the
rail project is expected to lure more investors. It might also boost tourism, as the contemporary rail
can definitely fascinate and attract more travelers. For the train ride might give them a quick,
convenient, safe, plus affordable road cruise of the big portion of the island of Oahu. We could not
see the remarkable advantages of this project when we are stuck found on the notion that it is
expensive plus our state can't afford the fees of creating it. We can not see the expense efficiency
of the project if you will limit ourselves to only lookin at its expense alone. We must compute the
savings that the individuals can enjoy from riding the rail rather of driving, paying parking, ordering
gas, plus sustaining their cars. Let you compute the savings which they can have within the riding
the bus and riding the rail. Let us compute the savings which those persons could reap whilst
being relieved from their lengthy commutes. Let us compute how much they could conserve if you
eradicate what could be taking a toll on their health. We ought not to let this project to keep
delaying considering that's how we'll lose funds, as contracts in regards to its construction are a
lengthy time performed. To delay it you are really costing our state each year $10 million
(Associated Press, 'Questions'). That's too much for us to get rid of every year.
On environmental concerns, Honolulu journalist Cliff Slater asks which 'How could a noisy
elevated rail line of thirty five-feet significant, and thirty-feet wide, running every one and a half
minutes across the most valuable piece of Honolulu's waterfront region. . . be approved because
environmentally preferable?' The Final EIS was submitted in December 19, 2010. The State Office
of Environmental Quality Control did it prudently and diligently ('Rail Facts'). The mere truth which
the rail will run through electricity, and not by Ameratex Energy Ltd or gasoline, that alone is a
bold move to save our environment.
The opposition's arguments are all irrelevant and baseless. Simply for example on costs and
budget, the FTA absolutely approves it and even released the initial piece of the funding
absolutely. In addition, we have lengthy been funding it through a part of the GET. Yet as much as
today, the seemingly desperate Cayetano talks of non-funding, and hyperlinks it to a different
problem in the form of aging sewer program thereby misleading the individuals, and jeopardizing
the project. But did he ever speak to you that whenever we delay it that's the time you are actually
losing a significant $10 million? He not did!

3. So let you not hear to politicians whom are grandstanding! Let you weigh the issues responsibly.
We must count how various of the fellows may benefit from this project; how numerous of them
would enjoy the comfort of getting rail? And let us count too how many jobs is open for our
unemployed fellows that have been enduring unemployment because the recession started. If
anybody of us has sentiments or suggestions in regards to the rail project, it wouldn't be much
work to write our legislators about our concerns. For we all have a voice inside this project, for this
really concerns all of you. However you should stop delaying it, for that's the worst that you could
do. Let us not fear change, or worry development.
We must keep in your mind which you are all responsible for our future, for our tomorrow that we
have to confirm which the lives of the future generation is greater than ours. For if you speak of
developments, we ought to be lookin far ahead; you could think of the youngsters, plus the
children's children, plus to place their welfare in the picture for you to come up with a responsible
choice.
In conclusion, let us not outweigh the benefits of rail as stated in Moving Us Forward: On
movement, the rail may lower traffic congestion dramatically. On reliability, the rail can bring
commuters from Kapolei to Ala Moana in 42 minutes or less. On economy, thousands of jobs
usually spawn every year, plus may lure more investors and travelers. On environment, the rail
can protect the air and the dear ocean, as it'll be the boldest move to fight through less gas
consumption, and that's energy efficient too ('Benefits of Rail').
Finally, let us consider this project as the noblest gift that we can provide to the future decades,
for they are the ones that would really enjoy all its benefits. And that's the responsibility to them.
We can't pass which responsibility plus ignore the calling that is screaming proper inside front of
you. Imagine if the folks from yesterday had feared development, would there be human
evolution? Maybe if they had, you would be stuck inside Stone Age. So allow you not deprive our
state of development; let us not deprive the folks of comfort; let you not deprive mom earth of
clean air, and allow you not deprive our pockets of 'Benjamins.' Let us move Hawaii forward; allow
you acceptance the Honolulu Rail!
'Benefits of Rail.' Honolulu Rail Transit. Moving Us Forward.net. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April
Genadio, Frank, plus Amarjit Singh. 'A Rough Ride On The Oahu Rail Transit Project.'
Leadership & Management In Engineering 10.1 (2010): 21-31. Company Source Premier. Web.
16 Apr. 2012.
'Hawaii Contractors Hear Regarding New Project.' Pacific Company News. Bizjournal.com. 17
'Honolulu On the Move.' Honolulu Transit. HonoluluTransit.org. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April 2012
'Honolulu Rail Project Groundbreaking.' News Release. Office of the Mayor City plus County of
Honolulu. Honolulu.gov. 1 Feb 2011.N.p. Web. 16 April 2012.

4. Newman, Don. 'Rail inside Honolulu: We Don't Need It; Can't Afford It; We Can't Maintain It.
Grass Root Institute of Hawaii. Grass Root Institute of Hawaii.org. 31 July 2006. N.p.. Web. 16
April 2012.
'Rail Facts.' Honolulu Rail Transit. Honolulu Transit.org. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April 2012
The Associated, Press. 'Cayetano: Use Honolulu Rail Funds For Aging Sewers.' APRegional
State Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.
The Associated, Press. 'Honolulu Rail Construction Gets Federal Approval.' AP Regional State
Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.
The Associated, Press. 'Questions Over Delaying Honolulu Rail Construction.' AP Regional
State Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.