Only a handful of people showed up at the first of five public hearings on the rail project's draft environmental impact statement yesterday.

The public hearing at Kapolei Hale yesterday lasted just a half-hour after 10 people gave testimony - eight were in favor of the project and two were opposed.

City Department of Transportation Services Director Wayne Yoshioka expects better turnout at this week's hearings.

“;The more people we have, the happier we are,”; Yoshioka said. “;I'm sure the closer we get to the city, we will be getting better participation.”;

Some residents were concerned about where the initial phase of the $5.5 billion project would begin. The city is planning to begin construction on the first segment between East Kapolei and Waipahu.

Rosita Sipirok, a Makakilo resident who works downtown, hopes to see the project begin closer to the city.

Clearing up traffic immediately in the more bottlenecked areas should be a priority, she said.

“;If it were built here in the Kapolei area, and something were to happen to the project, it's going to be sitting there as a white elephant,”; she said. “;It's going to be a system to nowhere. If you build it downtown, it could still be used.”;

City Councilman Charles Djou also has recently said the rail should begin construction downtown to alleviate traffic. Ewa Beach resident John Higgins agreed.

“;To go from here to Pearl City, the ridership will be virtually nothing,”; Higgins said.

    Residents Voice Their Rail Transit Opinions  

 

 

Many voice their opinions on one of Hawaii’s most controversial topics.

 

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State Rep. Sharon Har, whose district includes Kapolei, said because that because East Kapolei is developing, the smart thing to do is to build around a base yard in Kapolei, where the equipment and materials could be stored and maintained during construction and after the system is completed.

“;As we build more houses, we build around transit,”; Har said. “;It's one of the most effective tools in preventing urban sprawl.”;

Yoshioka said the decision to build in the west has to do with availability and cost of land, especially for the 40 acres needed for the base yard. Waipahu also has been proposed as a possible site.

“;The further in you go toward downtown, the less available it (land) is and the more expensive it is,”; Yoshioka said. “;If you look at the more urbanized area, where can you find an area of that size that is currently uninhabited?”;

Pat Patterson of Makaha Valley, an AARP member, said she is opposed to the project and the way it has been promoted.

“;I really resent that taxpayer money was spent on this slick stuff to get people to vote for the rail,”; she said. “;I think the vote was so close that it should not have been counted.”;

The deadline for public comments is Jan. 7. Yoshioka said all comments received will be considered as the final environmental impact study is prepared.