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Posted on: November 29, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.
Reviews by state may delay Honolulu's rail transit plans
Despite opportunities to raise the issues earlier, Hawaii officials did not question until last week what alternatives Honolulu officials studied before deciding to build an elevated heavy-rail commuter line.

Posted on: November 24, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.
Lingle promises thorough review of Honolulu rail project
Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she would not "rubber stamp" the final environmental impact statement on Honolulu's $5.5 billion rail project, promising a thorough review of whether the city adequately explored alternatives and whether the financial plan remains sound given the recession.

Posted on: November 23, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.
Honolulu officials faulted for rejecting ground-level trains
The last time the city studied the viability of a ground-level train through Honolulu's urban core, there was no medical school or Kaka'ako Walmart and several high-rise luxury condominiums had yet to be built.

Posted on: November 17, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.
Rail tax revenue down 30%
Tax collections needed to build Honolulu's planned $5.5 billion elevated rail transit line fell 30 percent in October from a year earlier. The total collected — $8.9 million — was the lowest amount since February 2007, when just $2.2 million was collected during the second month after the excise tax surcharge was enacted.

Posted on: October 29, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.
Honolulu mayor buys $10,000 in TV time for speech on rail transit
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann will deliver a "State of the Rail" address today to about 200 invited guests, and the city will pay $10,000 for 30 minutes of the speech to be broadcast tonight on local TV.

CONTINUING COVERAGE

Honolulu mayor buys $10,000 in TV time for speech on rail transit (Oct 29, 2009)
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann will deliver a "State of the Rail" address today to about 200 invited guests, and the city will pay $10,000 for 30 minutes of the speech to be broadcast tonight on local TV.

City preparing to fight expected lawsuits over Honolulu rail (Oct 17, 2009)
Honolulu city officials are asking for $300,000 to fight off potential legal challenges to a planned $5.5 billion elevated commuter rail.

Kamehameha Schools proposes cheaper Honolulu rail plan (Sep 13, 2009)
Honolulu could save an estimated $1.7 billion by building about half of its planned elevated commuter train at ground level, according to a study commissioned by Kamehameha Schools. Kamehameha Schools is Hawai'i's largest private landowner. Its holdings include the sites where at least four of proposed train stations would be located, making it keenly interested in the project.

City's financing options for $5.3B Oahu rail system may be limited (Aug 23, 2009)
The city has said next month is the earliest it will disclose how it plans to balance finances for the $5.3 billion rail line in light of tax revenue shortfalls, but the viability of options that were being considered in a July e-mail to the Federal Transit Administration may be limited.

Honolulu's per-capita cost for rail: $4,000 (Aug 16, 2009)
The typical Honolulu household has already paid more than $1,000 in taxes toward building the city's new commuter rail system. That's the first down payment on what will be the most expensive rail line built in the U.S. in at least the past decade.

Rail tax revenues fall short of target (Aug 16, 2009)
Honolulu transit tax collections fell about 5 percent to an estimated $160.9 million in the 12 months ended June 30 as the local economy weakened.

3 bidding for Oahu rail (Jul 06, 2009)
Two major train suppliers have pulled out of the running to provide vehicles and systems for Honolulu's planned rapid transit system. That leaves three companies competing for the estimated $230 million city contract scheduled to be awarded next year. The vehicles and systems contract is a small part of the $5.4 billion rail project. However, the style of the rail cars chosen will determine much of the system's overall character.

Potential bidders attend rail symposium (Jun 24, 2009)
At least three teams are lobbying to supply the vehicles and systems for Honolulu's planned commuter rail system. One of the teams aiming to land the estimated $250 million contract is led by Sumitomo Corporation of America.

Transit tax take still lags (Jun 22, 2009)
Honolulu's transit tax collections rebounded 10 percent in May to $14.9 million compared with a year ago. However, the city will need to collect a net $41 million this month or face a shortfall in collections for this fiscal year.

Honolulu's new transit logo biased, rail opponents say (Jun 15, 2009)
The city's multimillion-dollar rail information campaign now includes a heart-shaped "I Love Rail" logo that is featured on a monthly TV show and newsletter. The logo has been generating concern that the taxpayer-funded public involvement initiative now has taken on an overtly pro-rail promotional tone.

City seeks bids on rail facility (Jun 04, 2009)
City officials have launched a search for a contractor to build a maintenance and storage facility for Honolulu's planned $5.4 billion elevated commuter train.

Rail revenue plummets (May 25, 2009)
Monthly tax collections needed to pay for Honolulu's planned $5.4 billion elevated commuter train fell 11 percent last month to $12 million compared with April 2008. The decline reflects a reduction in economic activity relating to a statewide slump.

Honolulu rail route, elevation draw most public comments (May 11, 2009)
More than 600 public comments were lodged in response to a city plan to build a 20-mile East Kapolei to Ala Moana train. City officials released the comments last week at the urging of the City Council. The 1,389-page document highlights a broad range of concerns about the planned $5.4 billion project ranging from noise, aesthetics, archaeological conservation, energy consumption and costs.

Worry arises with rail on fast track (May 04, 2009)
Major steps will come swiftly over the next few months as the city moves closer to breaking ground on the $5.4 billion mass transit project in December, assuming the project won't encounter any environmental hurdles.

Move sought for rail station (May 03, 2009)
Honolulu's planned elevated commuter train is expected to spur land values and real estate development for those who own property around train stations. That's because the train's estimated 95,310 daily riders are expected to generate opportunities for housing, business and employment.

Transit tax collections still short of projections (May 03, 2009)
Tax collections needed to fund Honolulu's planned commuter rail system continued to lag expectations in March.

Honolulu hiring for rail transit division (Apr 06, 2009)
As Honolulu gears up to begin construction on an elevated commuter rail line, one of the early tasks is to find 44 new full-time employees to help manage the city's nascent Rapid Transit Division.

75 attend West Oahu meeting on 3 rail hubs (Mar 19, 2009)
About 75 West Oahu residents, and a few curious people from outside the region, gathered last night to learn more about three Transit-Oriented Development hubs planned for the East Kapolei region in Hawaii.

Kamehameha Schools urges that Honolulu rail be at ground level (Mar 08, 2009)
Hawaii's largest private landowner wants the city of Honolulu to again consider building the planned $5.4 billion train at ground level. Kamehameha Schools is raising concerns about the visual impact the 50-foot-high elevated track system will have on Ho

Honolulu hopes $1B will cover overruns in rail-transit costs (Feb 22, 2009)
Will $1 billion cover potential cost overruns on Honolulu's planned $5.4 billion commuter train? That's what city officials have budgeted. If they're right, then the city's plan to be the general contractor on the project and hire guideway and station builders, buy vehicles and possibly operate the train could save money in the long run.

Details coming on rail impact (Feb 08, 2009)
The city of Honolulu must go about responding to hundreds of comments and likely thousands of questions submitted from the public about the $5.43 billion elevated commuter rail project as part of a lengthy environmental review.

HAWAI'I POLL

A four-part special report from the Honolulu Advertiser and KGMB9 News

76% of O'ahu voters want rail on ballot
More than three-quarters of the poll's respondents said the electorate should get to decide the issue, and nearly two-thirds said they will cast their ballot in favor of rail.

Most in Honolulu say they won't use rail regularly, poll shows
While 23% of those surveyed living near route say they're very likely to take the train, most people say they don't expect to ride it frequently.

Rail ads reaching much of the public
Many have see or heard rail-related ads, but the poll shows there's a split over city funding of the pro-train campaign.

Honolulu mayor gets 80% approval rating in poll
Mayor Mufi Hannemann earns high marks despite a split over his handling of the rail issue.