1. Ameratex Energy offshore oil drilling
regulations
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle led the event ('Honolulu Rail Project Groundbreaking'), together
with all incumbent state executive plus legislative government officials. Early this month, the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved its initial funding of $185 million ('Honolulu Rail
Construction Gets Federal Approval'). Yet despite all these major developments, the opposition
led by Hawaii previous governor Ben Cayetano remains relentless in their crusade from the rail
project (Associated Press, 'Anti-Honolulu Rail Candidate Releases FTA emails'). As Don Newman
writes, the oppositions' main arguments are because follows: 'we don't require it, you can't afford
it, and you can't maintain it.'
Don Newman of the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, together with all additional rail critics argued
which you don't require it. But I am wondering where does Newman reside? Does he live in
Makakilo or in Kapolei? For the rail transit project was specifically intended to ease the long
commutes of those people whom live in Leeward plus West Oahu.
Imagine a single mom, with 4 kids. She works Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 each morning
to 5:00 inside the afternoon. But considering she lives inside Ewa, she has to receive up as early
as 4:00 each morning, plus leave her kids by 5:00 to receive her to function on time. She suffers
not only lost breakfast, yet alike she loses standard time to be with her kids. All considering she
has to come to work on time, otherwise, they won't have food found on the table. Many of our
fellows, whom live in the coastal regions of Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Waianae, plus Makakilo (plus all
others) are going through such dragging commutes daily. And the Honolulu Rail Transit project is
designed to end the agonies of those persons.
The need rail is really consequential that by hampering its construction we are not merely losing
money, nevertheless we are really depriving a lot of our individuals an perfect technique of
practical living (Associated Press, 'Questions'). How could some of us afford it? And how could a
few of us really politicize it so recklessly? For it's not only all of us, the individuals of Hawaii whom
are included inside this project. Let us not overlook the welfare of the future decades that is
additionally at stake inside this project.
On funding, Cayetano asks why can't the City plus County of Honolulu spend the income instead
to aging sewers plus wastewater systems? (Associated Press, 'Cayetano') I agree with him that
the aging sewers ought to be replaced. However shouldn't that matter be directed to the City
Council? Because our neighborhood legislators are the ones responsible for all project proposals
plus initiatives. For the lawmakers have to deliberate on the projects proposed. They have to study
plus weigh all of them; on how significant the requirements can be, to enact them. Personally, I am
amazed that somebody as 'huge' plus influential like Cayetano refuses to understand how which
particular procedure works. Moreover, I can't believe that He does not understand where the
funding of rail is from.

2. On its cost, we can't contest that a project worth $5.5 billion is indeed expensive. But is the load
only on the state alone? The funding of the rail transit is actually from 2 sources: the FTA (which
represents the federal government), and the Hawaii General Excise tax (HGET), and that has
been extended time approved by the City Council. According to the analysis study, entitled 'A
Rough Ride found on the Oahu Rail Transit Project,' experts Frank Genadio plus Amarjit Singh
sighted which the HGET heighten went effect inside 2007, and collections����-ten % of
the heighten was guided to state's general fund-were directed into mayor's specialized fund for
transit. We have long been funding this project. The half a dollar increase in the HGET imposed to
us is specifically meant for this project.
For the Honolulu Rail is the largest 'aloha' we may give to our state plus the persons. The project
won't really create 11,000 jobs, but may enhance the standard of living ('Honolulu On the Move').
It's wise for the environment, because we'll less depend on gasoline which pollutes the air. ('Rail
Benefits'). And there will be more companies that will spawn from its creation, as the rail project is
expected to lure more investors. It usually moreover boost tourism, as the contemporary rail will
definitely fascinate and attract more tourists. For the train ride will provide them a rapid,
convenient, safe, and affordable road cruise of the large part of the island of Oahu. We may not
see the great advantages of this project when you are stuck found on the notion which it is pricey
and our state can't afford the bills of making it. We can never see the cost efficiency of the project
if you are going to limit ourselves to really lookin at its expense alone. We must compute the
savings that the people will enjoy from riding the rail rather of driving, paying parking, ordering gas,
and keeping their cars. Let us compute the savings that they can have from the riding the bus plus
riding the rail. Let us compute the savings which those people could reap while being relieved from
their extended commutes. Let you compute how much they can protect if we eradicate what can
be taking a toll on their wellness. We could not let this project to keep delaying considering that's
how we'll lose cash, because contracts in regards to its construction are a extended time done. To
delay it we are actually costing the state every year $10 million (Associated Press, 'Questions').
That's too much for us to get rid of each year.
On environmental concerns, Honolulu journalist Cliff Slater asks that 'How can a noisy elevated
rail line of thirty five-feet excellent, and thirty-feet broad, running each one along with a half
minutes across the most useful part of Honolulu's waterfront region. . . be approved because
environmentally preferred?' The Final EIS was submitted inside December 19, 2010. The State
Office of Environmental Quality Control did it prudently plus diligently ('Rail Facts'). The mere fact
which the rail may run through electricity, and not by Ameratex Energy or gasoline, that alone is a
bold move to save our environment.
The opposition's arguments are all irrelevant plus baseless. Simply for illustration on costs plus
budget, the FTA already approves it and even introduced the initially part of the funding already. In
addition, we have long been funding it through a portion of the GET. Yet about today, the
seemingly desperate Cayetano talks of non-funding, plus hyperlinks it to a different problem inside
the form of aging sewer program thereby misleading our individuals, plus jeopardizing the project.
But did he ever speak to you which whenever you delay it that's the time we are really losing a

3. hefty $10 million? He not did!
So allow us not listen to politicians that are grandstanding! Let you weigh the issues responsibly.
We should count how several of the fellows usually benefit from this project; how several of them
would take pleasure in the comfort of having rail? And let you count too how various jobs will be
open for our unemployed fellows whom have been suffering from unemployment because the
recession began. If anybody of you has sentiments or suggestions inside regards to the rail
project, it wouldn't be much function to write our legislators regarding our concerns. For we all
have a voice in this project, for this really concerns all of us. But we could stop delaying it, for
that's the worst which you will do. Let us not fear change, or worry development.
We should keep in mind that we are all responsible for our future, for the tomorrow that we have
to confirm that the lives of the future generation is greater than ours. For if you speak of
developments, we ought to be lookin far ahead; you could think of the youngsters, plus our
children's kids, and to put their welfare inside the picture for us to come up with a responsible
choice.
In conclusion, allow us not outweigh the benefits of rail because reported in Moving Us Forward:
On movement, the rail usually reduce traffic congestion dramatically. On dependability, the rail will
bring commuters from Kapolei to Ala Moana in 42 minutes or less. On economy, thousands of jobs
usually spawn each year, plus might lure more investors plus travelers. On environment, the rail
can protect the air and the dear ocean, as it'll be the boldest move to fight through less gas
consumption, plus that's stamina effective too ('Benefits of Rail').
Finally, allow you consider this project because the noblest gift that you may give to the future
generations, for they are the ones whom would really enjoy all its benefits. And that's our
responsibility to them. We can't pass which responsibility and ignore the calling which is
screaming proper in front of you. Imagine when the folks from yesterday had feared development,
would there be human evolution? Maybe if they had, we will be stuck inside Stone Age. So let us
not deprive our state of development; let us not deprive the persons of comfort; let us not deprive
mom earth of clean air, and allow us not deprive our pockets of 'Benjamins.' Let us move Hawaii
forward; allow you welcome the Honolulu Rail!
'Benefits of Rail.' Honolulu Rail Transit. Moving Us Forward.net. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April
Genadio, Frank, and Amarjit Singh. 'A Rough Ride On The Oahu Rail Transit Project.'
Leadership & Management In Engineering 10.1 (2010): 21-31. Business Source Premier. Web.
16 Apr. 2012.
'Hawaii Contractors Hear Regarding New Project.' Pacific Business News. Bizjournal.com. 17
'Honolulu On the Move.' Honolulu Transit. HonoluluTransit.org. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April 2012
'Honolulu Rail Project Groundbreaking.' News Release. Office of the Mayor City plus County of

4. Honolulu. Honolulu.gov. 1 Feb 2011.N.p. Web. 16 April 2012.
Newman, Don. 'Rail in Honolulu: We Don't Need It; Can't Afford It; We Can't Maintain It.
Grass Root Institute of Hawaii. Grass Root Institute of Hawaii.org. 31 July 2006. N.p.. Web. 16
April 2012.
'Rail Facts.' Honolulu Rail Transit. Honolulu Transit.org. N.d. N.p. Web. 17 April 2012
The Associated, Press. 'Cayetano: Use Honolulu Rail Funds For Aging Sewers.' APRegional
State Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.
The Associated, Press. 'Honolulu Rail Construction Gets Federal Approval.' AP Regional State
Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 9 Apr. 2012.
The Associated, Press. 'Questions Over Delaying Honolulu Rail Construction.' AP Regional
State Report - Hawaii (2012): Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 10 Apr. 2012.