A new organization named Move Oahu Forward is being created by several business leaders to help promote the Honolulu Rail Project and educate the public about its potential benefits. Over 30 business and organizations have pledged their support to Move Oahu Forward including Bank of Hawaii, the James Campbell Co., Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Airlines, First Hawaiian Bank, Castle & Cooke Hawaii, and the MacNaughton Group.
President and CEO of the Hawaiian Elecrtic Industries, Constance Lau, serves as the co-chair for Move Oahu Forward. Lau stated, ”We have a rare opportunity to vastly improve our transportation system on Oahu and secure a better quality of life for many in our community. The Honolulu rail transit project is an investment in our future. It will not only reduce traffic congestion, but also spur the growth of our local economy, benefit Oahu’s special environment an improve the lifestyles for so many island families. Rail transit is about a long-term vision for Hawaii. It is for our children and grandchildren.”
However, opponents to the rail project predict that even the political and business muscle of Move Hawaii Forward will not be enough to convince the public that the $5.6 Billion rail project is a good idea. Randy Roth, one such opponent, stated,”The city has already spent millions of dollars promoting rail, and we’ve spent nothing. If the public is turning against rail, and we think the public has already turned against rail, we believe it’s because rail is just a bad idea. I don’t think spending additional millions of dollars trying to promote it is going to change that.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-15-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
