Capitol View
HONOLULU'S newest drive-time radio commentator, who doubles as the mayor of Honolulu, Jeremy Harris, was on the air last week reporting on how he was misunderstood. Harris revises proposals
for mass transitHis complaint: people just don't appreciate the work he has done to bring mass transit to Honolulu. And besides being unappreciative, they aren't paying attention to the many benefits of the city's mass transit suggestions.
If all that wasn't enough to choke up the most facile radio personality, Harris was also disturbed because the city hasn't really come up with firm plans for mass transit and already the anti-transit forces are circling.
Tentatively, however, Harris wants electric-powered, rubber-wheeled trams running on rails embedded in the roadway.
The route would take commuters along Dillingham, Ala Moana, Kapiolani and King.
Critics have already said the plan would do little but would cost a lot.
But Harris has heard this before. In fact, nearly a year ago, without even the benefit of a radio call-in program, Harris was telling critics that he wanted to study three different systems, buses and light rail from Kapolei to downtown, a light-rail line from Pearl City to the University of Hawaii or an expanded all-bus system.
To solve the problem, Harris called for both a study and more citizen input. That was a smart move. Back in 1992, while working for then-Mayor Frank Fasi, Harris oversaw the failed effort to bring a partially elevated rail line through town.
That one didn't succeed because the city and the state never really had the public on board. With a massive effort, former Gov. John Waihee was able to get legislative approval to allow the county to raise taxes to pay for it. The City Council balked and rail transit died.
This time Harris is careful to layer every move with citizen groups, catchy slogans and assurances that nothing is definite until everybody climbs on board.
The present plan envisions spending $590 million, which makes it not as expensive as the last plan, but certainly not something that Harris can build on a whim.
In fact, the city already is still cutting back its budget, so it is not likely that there will be any surplus to spend for transit.
City officials say more than half of the program may be funded by state and federal programs, and no new taxes would be required.
This, however, is an early assessment and it would be foolish to believe that is the last word on rapid transit funding.
For instance, the state has yet to sign on to any of the proposals.
The state Department of Transportation said it was "skeptical" and Gov. Ben Cayetano has long been opposed to mass transit, urging instead that workers move closer to their places of employment.
What is certain is that Harris has almost completely defined his administration in terms of mass transit public planning. After losing the battle for the reconstruction of a pool at the Waikiki Natatorium, Harris has shifted a major part of his emphasis to transit.
By coupling that with an extensive series of public hearings, he is moving along his own agenda of re-election at the same time he is fostering debate within the city on the advisability of rapid transit.
If he can't actually get both the public and the City Council to approve of a transit plan before next year's election, he will still have done more than his predecessor accomplished.
If not, he will have at least done a good job of filling radio air time.
Richard Borreca reports on Hawaii's politics every Wednesday.
He can be reached by e-mail at rborreca@pixi.com