Mayor says 2007 is when transit gets rolling
A toy monorail train circles a track under the Christmas tree in the reception area of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's office.
"Mufi Express," the sign on the display reads. "Full size coming in 2012."
And 2007 could be a pivotal year in keeping this timetable on track.
"Everything comes into fruition in '07," Hannemann said. "It's sort of like the beginnings of what hopefully we'll all be able to see, come 2012."
If all goes as scheduled, 2007 could be a defining year in transit and transportation:
» The decision will be made on which segment of the 28-mile transit route will be built first.
» The public will get a better idea of what kind of technology -- buses or rail -- will be used, and what the whole transit system will look like.
» A framework will be created for how neighborhoods will be integrated and developed in and around the transit line.
» The city is expected to get a better understanding of how much annual revenue will be generated from a new tax to pay for mass transit -- and how buses, a ferry, bicycles and walking paths will weave into mass transit.
This will be the year of putting together "the meat and potatoes" of the plan, the mayor said.
"You want to talk about vision -- now all of us can latch on to this vision of how we're going to basically create the Honolulu of tomorrow," Hannemann said. "My challenge is to make sure we do the short-term stuff to get us there."
With major discussions over raising taxes and determining the general transit route behind, the first order of business, the mayor and other officials say, is to decide what gets built first.
"What's really going to become important in 2007 is articulating and defining where is that first segment that we can afford and that makes sense from a systems standpoint, to be operating on its own independently," said Councilman Todd Apo, the new Council budget chairman who represents much of West Oahu. "That's going to be a fascinating discussion, and again a huge marker for where we go between 2007 and 2012."
That first segment will be important, because it could determine how quickly the system will be expanded or whether it will be expanded at all. Communities that have made mistakes in their initial segments are paying for it.
"Big picture overall -- it needs to be able to be successful," Apo said. "As you look at the systems across the United States and other countries as well that have done first segments, it's really been based on having a successful first section."
The coming year could also show the public how mass transit will fit into everyday lives through legislation that will delineate what development will look like in and around the transit line.
"Once the stations are designated, then we can really accelerate the (transit-oriented development) aspect -- it's where the creative juices can move forward to create these livable communities," Hannemann said. "You cannot assume that Kalihi will want the same thing that a Waipahu would want or a Kapolei. They're all very different."
Councilman Nestor Garcia, who represents Waipahu and parts of West and Central Oahu, and who will be taking the reins of the Council Transportation Committee, said 2007 also will present a good opportunity to make sure that these transit communities are planned properly, that they won't all look like steel and concrete.
"It's not just the elevated fixed guideway that you need to be concerned with," Garcia said. "This is not just a transit project. Everyone will have a say and a stake in what this city is going to look like for the next century."
Hannemann's plan to begin his long-awaited ferry service between West Oahu and downtown Honolulu could begin by summer. Because the ferry and city buses will link up, the public will get a better look at a multi-modal system, with rail as the centerpiece in the mayor's vision. Bikeways and walking paths would also be incorporated.
"I think in '07 you'll see the beginnings of this integrated system that (we have been) talking about," Hannemann said.
Money for transit will also be a major component in 2007. The city will get concrete numbers for how much revenue the new 0.5 percent increase in the general excise tax will bring Honolulu to pay for the system.
The city also is expected to seek federal funding and work closely with Hawaii's congressional delegation.