Video: Report On Community Meeting On Property Rights And The Honolulu Rail

by Robert Thomas, Inverse Condemnation, March 6, 2015

Weird headline from KITV. No, owners whose property is taken for the rail aren't "profiting" if they are able to get more for their land than what the condemning agency offered; "just compensation and damages" are required by the constitution, and if they are able to obtain more, in many cases that still leaves them undercompensated and simply means the condemnor's offer was inadequate.

But besides the headline, KITV does a good report on last night's community forum on property owners' rights in eminent domain which we sponsored.

If you didn't have a chance to attend last week's community meeting on the Honolulu rail project and property rights at Farrington High School, we've posted the audio clips, which include the big picture, the current status, and a series of frequently asked questions.

• FAQ's and background (including "The Numbers: How Much Land, How Much Money, How Much Time?," "Key Terms in Eminent Domain," "The 'Dear Owner' Letter," "Appraisals From an Eminent Domain Perspective," "Business Losses, Lost Profits, and Business Interruptions," "Relocation Benefits," and more)