Ben’s Platform

It’s Time to Get Honolulu Back on the Right Track

The following are facts not superlatives: EPA mandated upgrades and regular maintenance costs to City sewer system ($5 billion), Cost to upgrade City water system ($5 billion), Cost to repave City roads ($1.6 billion), Cost to repair and upgrade City sewer system ($800 million).

Oahu taxpayers have already experienced large increases in their sewer and water fees — it is just the beginning.

Hawaiian electric has already resorted to televison commercials to prepare users for what obviously will be dramatic increases to one of the highest electricity rates in the nation; gasoline prices exceed $4 per gallon —  highest in the nation.

Is it wise to add a $5.3 billion rail system…?

Is it wise to add a $5.3 billion ($7 billion, according to a state and federal study) rail system — which the City admits in its EIS will not reduce traffic congestion below current levels and for which our Mayor has already called for a tax increase — to all of that debt and pass it on to future generations?  I don’t think so and that is why I am running.

Buses have greater flexibility…

A recent study by Demographia concluded that among cities with a population of less than one million Honolulu is the nation’s least affordable city. Why force people to leave the state by making it even more unaffordable?

…far less expensive than rail… without digging up streets, disrupting businesses, blocking view planes, damaging historical sites and unearthing ancient burial grounds.

If you are interested in viewing the visual impact of the rail structures on the City’s waterfront or along Farrington Highway in Waipahu see the post on my blog entitled The Blight of Honolulu Rail.

The City’s bus system is rated the best in the nation.  I would improve it by developing dedicated lanes for express buses on the freeway (My administration established the “Zipper Lanes.”). It requires working with the state which neither of my opponents ever explored — and which I’ve already discussed with the Governor.

you can easily make changes to bus routes or reduce the number of buses  —  this cannot be done with rail.

Buses have greater flexibility and will be able to go into the different communities, pick up passengers and drive them to downtown nonstop on dedicated lanes — avoiding the need for transfers as would be required for rail. It will be far less expensive than rail and can be done more quickly without digging up streets, disrupting businesses, blocking view planes, damaging historical sites and unearthing ancient burial grounds. And when the system needs adjustment, you can easily make changes to bus routes or reduce the number of buses  —  this cannot be done with rail.

~ Ben Cayetano, Candidate for Honolulu Mayor, January 30, 2012

January 19, 2012 Press Conference

Since I retired as governor in 2002, I’ve watched with growing concern how the cost of living has been increasingly elevated by reckless spending and costly politically motivated capital projects.

Like most people, I’ve been alarmed by the dramatic increases in sewer and water fees and electricity rates. I’m shocked by the huge costs the City faces in upgrading and maintaining its sewer and water systems, the lack of funding to repave our roads too many of which are so filled with potholes they could pass for streets in Third World Countries, and of our city parks many which are deteriorating with filthy toilets, leaking faucets and, shamefully, no toilet paper for lack of maintenance.

…with required upgrades to the sewer system at $5 billion, water system at $4-5 billion and street system at $1.6 billion… a $5.3 billion rail project doesn’t cut it. 

To upgrade and maintain the sewer system will cost an estimated $5 billion, the water system $4-5 billion, storm drains $800 million and to repave the streets and roads approximately $1.6 billion. I was shocked when on top of all of these costs, then Mayor Mufi Hannemann proposed to build a $5.3 billion elevated heavy rail system!

I believe strongly that projects built by our city or state should be designed so they are consistent with our core values – our relationship to our land and environment, to each other and to the culture that binds us together as a people.

The $5.3 billion rail project does not cut it. Thirty-five to sixty feet high, the elevated, massive concrete structure will run along the waterfront, destroying forever the view planes of our beautiful city and changing its character for the worse. It is more likely to cost $7 billion according to state and federal studies, and will plow through the hundreds of ancient burial sites and unearth the Iwi we all know now rest in Kakaako and – according to the City’s own EIS – it will not reduce current levels of traffic congestion. In other words, traffic congestion in the future will be worse than today – even with rail!

This is not the legacy I want left to future generations. It is irresponsible for us to burden them with huge debt and leave behind a city whose beauty is scarred by a wall of concrete snaking along its waterfront, destroying and disrespecting our ancient burial sites.  Our future generations deserve better. See more on Blog

I’ve waited patiently for someone to emerge and restore common sense to City Hall.  No one has.  And so I feel duty bound to come out of retirement and today I announce my candidacy for Mayor.  Most politicians who run for Mayor do so as a stepping stone to the Governorship. I’ve been there, done that. I am running to be Mayor – period.  I bring with me 28 years of experience in public service.  I’ve made tough decisions during hard times.  And at times you may not have liked it but I always told you the truth and will continue to do so. I am proud of what my administration accomplished while I served as your governor. I have a very long track record – check it out – and compare it to that of my opponents.

This is not the legacy I want left to future generations

Next week, I will unveil a plan to address the huge costs to upgrade and maintain our sewer and water systems.  An advisory committee comprised of former City cabinet members and administrators headed by Sam Callejo, Chief Engineer and Director of Transportation under Frank Fasi, Toy Arre former Director of Finance under Fasi, Ron Lim and Malcom Tom both cabinet members of the Harris Administration, along with City Council members Ann Kobayashi and Romy Cachola will advise me on City issues.

We are not New York, we are not Los Angeles.  We are Hawai‘i

I was born and raised in Kalihi.  I watched Hawaii mature as a state and, at age 72, I think I finally grasp fully what a unique and special place we have become.  We know who we are.  We do not have to emulate anyone or any place.   We are not New York, we are not Los Angeles.  We are Hawai‘i.  This is my creed and it will be the basis on which I, as your Mayor, will work with you to create jobs, develop solutions to our problems – as well as a great vision for our City now and in the future.

~ Ben Cayetano, Candidate for Honolulu Mayor, January 19, 2012

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