Citizens must believe
their votes really matter

As we approach the November election there is the typical heart-rending consternation about the low level of voter registration and turnout in Hawaii. The perennial question is raised as to why voter participation is so low. This really isn't as difficult to figure out as many seem to believe.

Look about the islands and what do you see, especially here on Oahu? Well, for starters there are medians running down the main arteries of local communities that many in those communities, often the majority, do not want. The same can be said for community signs, tree bulb-outs and other ill-conceived projects.

Road repair money on the city and state levels is diverted to the general fund to support other projects that these government entities could not finance and could not afford otherwise. Sewer system repair and maintenance funds are raided to finance ribbon-cutting events and other feel-good programs to highlight the politicians who sponsored them at the expense of needed infrastructure support and repair.

The bus rapid transit program is being crammed down the throats of local communities whose members clearly oppose it. This project is not properly funded, and the federal matching dollars that were promised when it was introduced have never been applied for and are probably never forthcoming. Thus local dollars will have to entirely fund this billion-dollar project, not counting maintenance.

The fixed rail project, which so many are demanding, will drain huge amounts of money from the local treasury with nowhere near a comparable return. Careful examination of the experience of other cities reveals that no rail project has ever reduced or alleviated traffic congestion, despite the claims of supporters. Yet even the state's highest elected official looks to be in favor of this boondoggle. Where does one vote to say, "No"?

If one goes to meetings of the state Legislature or Honolulu City Council and listens to the citizens' testimony, one gets a sense of the support or opposition to these programs. Then the votes are taken, and it appears as if that testimony never took place.

In other words, a majority of the legislators appear unconcerned with the expressed desires of the people and do whatever they see fit. If elected officials feel completely free to ignore the expressed will of the people, then why bother to vote? What difference does it make anyway?

One has to consider the fact that this state's politics has been dominated by one party for generations. Thus whatever that party decided was what was going to be implemented, no matter what the public sentiment. That this would breed a deep cynicism, with a resulting decline in voter participation, makes perfect sense.

As the one-party-rule that has gripped Hawaii for the last several decades shows signs of weakening there is the possibility for real choice. What will inspire greater voter participation is if the reality of this possibility is properly communicated to typically complacent voters. The idea that things could be changed for the better based upon an election turnout is the only thing that will inspire greater participation. Without the hope of making a difference there is little reason to vote.