TRANSIT

RAIL SYSTEM IS ANSWER FOR TODAY AND FUTURE

Two things are for certain: Both the population and the number of vehicles will continue to increase over the years.

Since most areas around Honolulu are already populated, that means other areas such as the 'Ewa Plain, Kapolei and the North Shore will be the next areas exploited for land development.

If a rail system does not satisfy these areas, then the city and state must start planning and using their powers of eminent domain to acquire land for additional freeways. Maybe an H-4 for the 'Ewa Plain and Kapolei, H-5 for East O'ahu. Look at Los Angeles or Las Vegas for ideas on moving traffic.

The H-1 Freeway needs to be expanded to at least four lanes through the Honolulu corridor. Also off-ramps need to be widened from two lanes to at least three lanes to increase traffic flow and move traffic away from the freeway faster.

Lots of land to be acquired and people to relocate. I guess people will need to move to newer-developed areas. The cost of all this probably will be twice or triple the projected cost of a rail system.

And most people driving would prefer to travel the most direct route with least inconvenience.

Mass transit will satisfy the needs of today and the next 50 years at least.

POLICY DECISIONS

COLLABORATION OFTEN PRESENTS A GOOD OPTION

I enjoyed reading Kaua'i Council member JoAnn Yukimura's April 29 Island Voices essay calling for more participatory processes in making public policy decisions.

Yukimura sits on the board of advisers for the Hawai'i Judiciary's Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, so I know her passion for meaningful alternatives to governance.

Yukimura's suggestion that we need to find new ways to bring communities together around difficult decisions is timely, given the large number of complicated issues in Hawai'i today.

Not all issues are right for collaborative decision-making, but this option brings success for some public policy issues. Many people who worked in meeting processes of this type said they were satisfied with the solutions they found. It is significant that state and county departments often convene facilitated meetings.

There is almost no limit to the range of public policy issues that may be addressed through collaboration. Our office worked on preservation of native species, helping at-risk youth and assisting crime victims.

Often the people involved in facilitated meetings find solutions they are satisfied with.

There is satisfaction in reaching a solution about your own future instead of having someone else impose the decision. Too often, public-policy disputes polarize communities, and collaboration may offer another option in appropriate cases.

For more information about consensus-based decision-making process, please call the center at 539-4237.

WRIGHT CONTROVERSY

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHO SEN. OBAMA IS?

Well, thank goodness the Rev. Jeremiah Wright thing was put to bed by Bill Moyers' PBS interview, according to The Advertiser's Jerry Burris who helpfully provided a Web link to the Moyers/Wright discussion.

I wonder why Mr. Burris didn't also offer links to the reverend's subsequent NAACP and National Press Club outings in which he repeated and amplified his earlier hateful, racist, America-as-source-of-all-evil comments. Comments which then prompted Sen. Barack Obama to be appalled in Tuesday's press conference.

I also wonder why Mr. Burris didn't help us learn a little about black liberation theology (also racist and hateful), the acknowledged theological foundation of Rev. Wright's and Sen. Obama's church of 20 years.

The last thing I wonder about is why the press didn't get around to exploring Sen. Obama's background until after half the country had voted and, most importantly, I still have to wonder if we know who Sen. Obama really is.

TAXPAYERS

WHY NO OUTRAGE OVER COST OF WAR IN IRAQ?

Opponents of the proposed rail system harp on the cost of building it. If only they would direct their anger at a far greater waste of money: the Iraq war.

A recent congressional estimate puts the cost of the war at $2 billion per week. That's right — per week!

Meanwhile, Amtrak rail travel is up 20 percent on the Mainland because of the increased cost and unreliability of air travel. The only problem is our country's rail system is antiquated because of neglect and lack of foresight by government leaders.

Anyone who travels to Europe or major U.S. cities knows that mass transit works once it's in place. Unfortunately, our island mentality has left Hawai'i stuck in the slow lane, and you can thank opponents who killed rail proposals over 20 years ago for today's steep price to catch up with the rest of the modern world.

But if the cost is such a concern to rail opponents, where is their outrage over our tax dollars being squandered in Iraq? Instead of holding "Stop Rail" signs, they should be carrying "End the War Now" signs.

As for letting voters decide the matter, remember it was a majority of voters who elected President Bush. Twice.

Draw your own conclusions about the public's intelligence.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY BOARD

What's needed to improve our public schools? How should we deal with our energy issues? What's happening with affordable housing in Hawai'i?

These are just some of the issues The Advertiser's Community Editorial Boards have addressed.

Is it your turn? We're looking for our next slate of board members willing to offer their insight on local issues and news of the day.

As a community board member, you'll meet with our in-house editorial board once a week over an eight-week period to share perspectives and discuss editorial topics. And you'll also get to meet some of Hawai'i's key decision-makers.

If you're interested in serving on The Advertiser's Community Editorial Board now or in the future, we'd like to hear from you.

Tell us about yourself in a few sentences, including your occupation and interests.

Send it along with name, phone number, home address and e-mail address to editorial page assistant, Stacy Berry, at: sberry@honoluluadvertiser.com; by fax to 535-2415; or mail it to The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.

JOIN THE TEEN EDITORIAL BOARD

No Child Left Behind. Low test scores. Civic engagement. Job creation and economic diversification. Hawai'i's higher education system.

High school students are our state's future and should have a say in these issues and more.

We invite you to do just that on The Advertiser's Teen Editorial Board.

We're looking for a team of high school students to offer insights on key issues and news of the day throughout the 2008-2009 school year.

The board will meet occasionally with some members of our in-house editorial board and with key decision-makers in the community.

To apply, send us an e-mail with your name, address, age, school, and a sentence on why you would like to be a participant.

Send your e-mail to our editorial assistant, Stacy Berry, at: sberry@honoluluadvertiser.com; by fax to 535-2415; or mail it to The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.