Former Governor Ben Cayetano and former city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell are spending some time regrouping and refocusing their messages prior to the final push before the November 6th general election. Kirk Caldwell has always been a strong supporter of the Honolulu Rail Project, but in wake of the recent decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court to halt the project until an archealogical survey can be completed, has tried to state that his campaign is about more the rail. Caldwell noted, “While rail transit is an important issue, this election is about so much more. It’s about public safety and protecting our people and their property, providing transportation to get people to and from work, TheHandi-Van and services for the elderly, filling potholes and repaving our roads, stimulating our economy and properly rebuilding our infrastructure to move Honolulu comfortably into the 21st century while we maintain our current real property tax rates.”
Caldwell also downplayed the effect, if any, that the Supreme Court’s decision would have on his campaign. Caldwell added, “Right now, the issue is still in the courts so there’s not much we can do except wait. I’m optimistic that the project will get back on track. I also believe it is critical that all the proper environmental reviews are conducted fully. Simply put, the project must be done right. However, this also gives us a good opportunity to talk about all the other issues for which the mayor will be responsible. I look forward to debating Ben on these issues so that people can judge for themselves who will be best to run the city.”
Ben Cayetano has strongly opposed the rail project and has stated that if he is elected he would do everything in his power to shut down the project. Political analyst and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, Neal Milner, believed that the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling could only help Cayetano’s campaign. Milner stated, “It gives Cayetano another talking point, for sure. It’s just another step in the direction of making people just a tad more skeptical about rail, and I’m sure that Cayetano is going to use that as another reason why rail is bad.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-17-2012, 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
