Honolulu Rail Moves Closer to Ballot

Officials in Honolulu recently approved a measure that will allow voters to decide whether to build a long-planned $4 billion rail system.

1 minute read

August 11, 2008, 9:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"The typically divided City Council was unanimous in supporting a measure to allow Oahu residents to vote on the city's proposed $4 billion rail transit on the November ballot, though members remain split on the exact question to ask voters."

"In a special meeting yesterday, the City Council discussed several versions of City Charter amendments to create a semiautonomous Public Transit Authority that would run the system and to let Oahu residents voice whether they want the mass-transit system at all."

"The City Council held off on a measure asking voters whether the city should create a Public Transit Authority to run the proposed 20-mile elevated system from Kapolei to Ala Moana. However, it voted 9-0 to advance a separate measure asking Oahu residents whether the city should build the transit system at all."

Friday, August 8, 2008 in Honolulu Star-Bulletin

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Connecticut Capitol Building

Connecticut Just Cause Eviction Bill Dies in State House

The bill would have protected tenants from unfair evictions by requiring landlords to provide a reason for ending a lease.

15 minutes ago - The Connecticut Mirror

Red SF Muni ticketing machine.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time

A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

May 21 - San Francisco Examiner

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

May 21 - GovTech