If we must build up in the air to have rail transit, how about a partnership with the Disney Company? They have a magnificent entry sequence to their theme parks via a monorail. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a monorail connecting their planned resort in Ko’ olina with the airport? What a wonderful, unique and hassle free introduction to the Island and overview of the landscape. It could be circular to afford both mauka and makai views. Stops for Local travelers can be added in increments based upon rider demand. It would be nice to have an amenity which is designed to accommodate both tourists and residents with a minimal foot print on the land.The Disney People probably know how to do it just right. I wonder if there is any way that they would.
Another Possibility
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February 25, 2009 at 4:47 am |
I attended the city’s community workshop that was held in Waipahu in 2007. I was very impressed by the presentation, but more so by the way the facilitators actively involved all participants in expressing our desires and concerns about the rail project and its impact on the community. We broke into several groups, each with a facilitator. Each group had a large map of Waipahu that showed streets, parks, streams and buildings. The map also showed the proposed route and transit stations. We were told that as part of the process, the neighborhoods would become special districts with new opportunities to create the preferred environment around the stations. With that invitation, the people in my group eagerly contributed ideas that would transform Waipahu into the community of our collective dreams. Bike paths, pedestrian malls, green space, mixed density usage (retail/apartment complexes) — in a matter of hours, we transformed Waipahu into something quite exciting and appealing. Of course, we don’t know what changes will take place in the future, but we appreciated the opportunity to tell the city planners what we wanted. I understand that as each community comes on line (Waipahu was first because it will be the project’s first stage), residents and business owners will have the same opportunity to provide their input. I hope people will go, learn something and give their 2 cents, instead of sitting back and wondering what happened.