Rail - Question #4 on the Ballot

From: Rodlyn
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:06 am

When the issue of voting is brought up one of the issues is the rail system. I am not asking you to vote a certain way, only asking you to get out and vote. Of course AARP is in favor of this issue and so am I.

It was just confirmed with the City Clerk’s office that the rail question will be #4 on the ballot and confirmed with Elisa Yadao that the language will be as seen below:

Proposed Charter Amendment 4:

Shall the powers, duties, and functions of the city, through its director of transportation services, include establishment of a steel wheel on steel rail transit system?

If you vote YES – the city will move ahead with its plan to build a fixed guideway rail system from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

If you vote NO – the city will not be allowed to build the proposed fixed guideway rail system from Kapolei to Ala Moana.

For the November election I’ve just learned that blank votes will not count as a no, they will just not count. If there are any more changes regarding this measure I will let you know.

AARP urges you to vote YES.
If you think traffic is bad now…

• By 2030 there will be an estimated 30% more travel on Oahu.
  
• The bus system alone will not be enough to relieve the pressure.
  
• 80,000 people a day are expected to ride the new rail system taking an estimated 40,000 cars off the road.
• In the next 23 years, the number of people in Hawaii that are 65+ will nearly double.
• We need transportation options that will allow us, our parents, and our grandparents to age in place.
• All drivers will benefit from fewer cars on the road.
• Development around rail can be designed in a way that promotes walking and allows people to live in walking distance to shops and services. Kupuna living near a rail station might not need to drive at all.
• Rail is a great transportation option for older people and the disabled because of the ease of getting on and off a train from a level platform.
• Rail can help keep Hawaii’s families together…
• We want our children and grandchildren to stay in Hawaii when they grow up. That means having a place to live and work.
• Affordable housing will be on the Leeward side of the island where new development is happening.
• Rail will help our families get to work and provide them with opportunities for work.

Aloha,
Rodlyn