Current Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, and former Governor Ben Cayetano are all running for mayor of Honolulu in the up coming election. They held their first debate last night, and discussed a range of topics, but ultimately focused on the Honolulu Rail Project. Carlisle and Caldwell are both supporting the $5.27 billion project, while Cayetano has pledged to his supporters that if elected he will do his best to kill it.
Cayetano’s primary campaign platform has been anti-rail and argued that the city could better use the money improving the roads and sewer systems. The former Governor pointed to three independent studies which believe that the final cost for building the rail project would be closer to $7 billion. Cayetano stated that he would like to improve the current bus system instead of having an eyesore rail line.
Both Carlisle and Caldwell noted that they continue to support the rail project and the jobs that would be created because of it. Having the rail project, they argue, would help to create more affordable communities for residents to live in the Leeward section of Oahu which would be serviced by rail stations. They also pointed out that the rail project would help to reduce automobile emissions and help the environment.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 5-3-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
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