This editorial from the Hawaii Reporter argues that plans for transit oriented development are "based in communist and fascist thinking" and that building rail and TOD will be bad for Hawaii's families.
"The idea behind TODs is to "limit sprawl." "Sprawl" is apparently a bad word for planners and the politicians they've bedazzled. But 'sprawl' is the outcome of what most people hope for (and work hard to achieve) ... especially families ... a house in a nice neighborhood with a little land for children to play. "Sprawl" is the result of the essentially the Ozzie and Harriet life ... the 'American Dream.'"
"Oh sure, these TODs are supposed to be nice, even expensive, places to live. But, TODs are ... and this is not politically correct to reference, but real none-the-less ... based in communist and fascist thinking. When thinking TODs, think "ghetto." And most ghettos were historically the result of 'social, economic or legal pressure.' Hum, sound familiar?"
"The mentality is that TODs will increase rail use. However, TODs across the country have failed, and Honolulu will be particularly hard-hit by such legislation."
"Why? My number one reason is that neither rail nor TODs are truly family-friendly."
"Rail does not address the needs of families, who use cars to go about their day-to-day living. Cars, not public transportation for the most part, get kids dropped off at school and to other daily activities and lessons. Cars help parents go grocery shopping and other errand-running. Life would be hugely more complicated for families without access to cars."
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