A great read about arguments against the rail. Written by who have been against the rail from the beginning.

https://hnlrailcons.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!

I think my kids and I have figured out the rail fiasco.

Build the guideway to Middle Street but don't put the rail on it.
Use it for busses.
Build the stations but have it dedicated for express busses.
To the University, to Downtown, to Ala Moana, to Waikiki
People can get transfers if they need to go Mauka or makai.
Put wi-if on the busses.
People can get to and from wherever they need with elevated bus stops in each community.
And it would directly service the University.

Cancel the order for the rail cars and get more busses.

I said this before, if they invested $1 billion into our bus system with more busses, more stops, maybe a dedicated lane for busses, i would totally use it!  1 less car on the road...

The one thing I haven't yet seen in the news is someone demanding to know where all the money went. They just say it went over budget and tax about future cost concerns which is an important discussion but I want to know where that extra billion or two dollars went! I think someone needs to investigate seriously and prosecute anyone criminally involved to send a clear message not to waste taxpayer dollars like this.

The one thing I haven't yet seen in the news is someone demanding to know where all the money went. They just say it went over budget and tax about future cost concerns which is an important discussion but I want to know where that extra billion or two dollars went! I think someone needs to investigate seriously and prosecute anyone criminally involved to send a clear message not to waste taxpayer dollars like this.

Holy crap!  You post the need for an audit, and BAM!  There's one in the news!  No wonder you have such a huge ego!  All you have to do is say you haven't seen something and POOF!  There it is!!

Oh, wait.  This was in April.  I guess your Google is slow.

http://khon2.com/2016/04/15/city-releases-audit-of-honolulu-authority-for-rapid-transportation/

City audit calls HART’s finances, plans ‘outdated and unreliable’

The auditor called Honolulu’s rail finances and plans “outdated and unreliable as decision-making tools.”

An excerpt explains: “HART made concessions to a single contractor; did not perform quantitative analysis to justify a major decision to repackage a bid for nine stations in the Westside Stations Group; and paid $1.5 million in stipends to unsuccessful bidders without knowing the bidders’ actual costs. HART is also paying for vacant office space. Contract administration controls need to address invoice payments, procurement file documentation, and prevent improper payments.”

Full report:   http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-179936/CC-103%2816%29.pdf