Rail | Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

Akina pans HART’s P3 plan in Star-Advertiser

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii March 20, 2019

The following is an excerpt from an article that appeared Sunday, March 17, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “Federal investigation, funding issues increase risk for rail bidders.” It features comments by Grassroot Institute of Hawaii President Keli’i Akina, who was interviewed by reporter Kevin Dayton. ___________________ … HART [Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation]

Other states show we can hold rail accountable

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. February 15, 2019

Across the country, people are getting fed up with large, expensive public works projects that siphon away taxpayer funds. In January, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo canceled a plan years in the making that would have shut down New York City’s L Train for tunnel repairs. Instead, he opted for a substantially

First part of HART audit is bad; will rest be worse?

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii January 11, 2019

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii denounces the “egregious” behavior so far uncovered HONOLULU, Jan. 10, 2019 >> The first installment of a four-part audit by the state auditor is more proof that the over-budget and behind-schedule Honolulu rail project has been significantly mismanaged, intensifying the worries of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii that

The problem with rail isn’t PR

Josh Mason December 21, 2018

This is a letter to the editor that was published Thursday, Dec. 20, in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. We commend the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for putting the spotlight on the failed public relations efforts of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (“Loss on a rail charter question prompts concerns about community outreach,” Star- Advertiser,

Not all public-private partnerships are good

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. November 30, 2018

In the past, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has been favorably disposed to public-private partnerships (P3s). While not quite the same thing as privatization, these partnerships are often a good way to improve public services and relieve taxpayers of some of the high costs. We supported the Maui hospital because

HART’s P3 Plan Another Bad Sign For Rail

Joe Kent November 14, 2018

This article was originally published as a “Community Voice” in Civil Beat on Nov. 14, 2018. The Honolulu rail system is projected to lose millions of dollars every year after opening in 2026. So it’s baffling that any company would want to partner with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation

City Council broke promise on rail

Josh Mason November 5, 2018

This was originally published as a Letter to the Editor in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, Nov. 4. The Honolulu City Council’s decision to approve Bill 42 violates the promise made to Honolulu taxpayers in 2006 that city funds would not be used for the rail project (“Council commits city funds

Rail vote breaks promise – again

Keli'i Akina, Ph.D. November 5, 2018

Sometimes, addressing rail funding can feel like you’re standing on the tracks, politely asking Hawaii’s policymakers to consider hitting the switch and redirecting the train before it runs us over. That is why the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii last week was at a meeting of the Honolulu City Council. The

Honolulu rail funding bill would break a promise

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii October 29, 2018

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii submitted testimony today (Oct. 30, 2018) to the Honolulu City Council Committee on Legislative Matters regarding Bill 42, relating to funding for Honolulu County’s rail project. The comments were submitted Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute executive vice president. ***************************** Aloha, Chair (Ernest Y.) Martin, Vice Chair (Kymberly

‘P3′ for rail a budgetary ruse

Joe Kent October 25, 2018

Honolulu’s rail project is hoping to save costs by partnering with private companies in a process known as a public-private partnership, or “P3.” But experts say that nationally many rail P3s have enabled the government project managers to duck budgetary limits in the short run and spread their higher costs