Three Candidates For Mayor, Three Positions On Honolulu Rail

by Robert Thomas, InverseCondemnation, July 15, 2016

Yesterday was the first debate in the race for Honolulu mayor. As this story from Chad Blair at Honolulu Civil Beat noted, "In Honolulu Mayoral Forum, It's All About The Rail."

To save our readers from having to wade through the long-winded answers the candidates gave on that topic, here’s our shorthand summary of their respective positions:

• Kirk Caldwell (incumbent): Continue past Middle Street to Ala Moana only if we have the money to do so (we’ll talk about this after the election).

• Charles Djou (former Congressman (R)): Continue past Middle Street to Ala Moana only if the total cost does not exceed $7,000,000,000.

• Peter Carlisle (former mayor): Complete the rail to Ala Moana, regardless of cost. Increase GET to pay for it, since nobody knows how much they pay in GET.