DJOU: THE RAIL MESS IS A PURE FAILURE OF MAYORAL LEADERSHIP

News Release from Djou June 23, 2016

Honolulu, HI - Congressman Charles K. Djou, candidate for Mayor of Honolulu, reacted to the news that the Honolulu rail system cost could now reach as high as almost $11 bil. from the original projected cost of $5.2 bil.

"Rail is a complete mess," stated Djou.  "Every number, every deadline, every promise given by the administration on rail has been wrong and has misled the people.  The most recent revelation that rail costs could soar to as high as $10.8 bil. is troubling and underscores the call for new leadership at Honolulu Hale.  In this election for mayor the people have to ask one simple question: who do you trust to fix the rail mess - the person who put us into this, or the one candidate who told us that this is exactly what would happen?"

An audio recording of this statement can be found here.

Djou pledges as mayor to veto any further tax increases for the rail project and cap costs for the $5.2 bil. system at $7 bil.

Djou will be available for comment on this issue throughout the day today.

ARTICLES:

October, 2013 - Tunnel Vision? Not when it comes to Honolulu's High Stakes Rail Project via Civil Beat

July, 2015 - How much will it cost us in the end via Hawaii Business

September 20, 2015 - ‘Build rail better’ devolves into just build rail somehow via Honolulu Star Advertiser

April 17, 2016 - Caldwell Should Be Blamed For Sugarcoating Rail via Honolulu Star Advertiser

April 15, 2016 - Audit slams Honolulu rail agency over management, costs via Honolulu Star Advertiser

June 9, 2016 - HART board weighs 6 options to deal with rail’s cost overruns

June 2, 2016 - Mayor: Shorter Rail Rout Could Cost Taxpayers More via Hawaii News Now

May 16, 2016 - HART board to review all options as rail budget could balloon to $8 billion via KHON2 News

Charles Djou represented Hawaii's 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House and previously served on the Honolulu City Council and Hawaii State House.  Djou is an Army Reservist and Afghanistan war veteran.  He is married to Stacey Kawasaki Djou and together they have three children.

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