City Council Approves Rail Vote

August 21, 2008

The Honolulu City Council approved a ballot initiative calling for a vote on rail transportation system. The council voted unanimously last night to allow residents to vote on the plan in the upcoming November election. Members of the council expressed hopes that the ballot initiative will finally put to rest the debate about the controversial plan.

After the bill was approved last night, it will now head to Mayor Mufi Hanneman who says he supports call for a vote, but still might veto the measure if the wording it not to his liking. Hanneman is in favor of building a a light rail system for the first elevated 20-mile stretch from Kapolei to Ala Moana, but while a majority of the Council supports the transit system, several council members have strongly opposed the light rail system.

Also on the agenda last night was the creation of a Transit Authority to oversee the rail project. This time, the council voted against the measure, dealing a blow to the Mayor's office. City Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka said he was disappointed the Council rejected the transit authority, but that the issue will be revisited in another election in two years.