Posted on: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Gauging values of rail, 2010 prospects
By David Shapiro
Sharks, trains and the 2010 election follies highlight our "flASHback" on the week's news that amused and confused:
The Honolulu City Council advanced a bill to prohibit North Shore shark tours. Native Hawaiians are seeking the ban to show cultural respect for the deep-sea predators, but for council members it's more a matter of professional courtesy.
The Hannemann administration won't say how much the city has spent on PR for rail transit. You'd think they'd be proud. Those are some of the best-paying positions the $5.3 billion project has created.
The transit team rejected a plan to save money by redesigning the all-elevated commuter line to run at ground level. How is the team supposed to build a train that reflects the city's character if it can't have loop-de-loops?
City power usage has increased by 15 percent in the two years since officials sought a 10 percent reduction by 2017. Auwe, apply that math to the rail budget and it's going to cost more than the return trip to the moon.
Citing complaints, police are cracking down on street performers in Waikiki. What, are the mimes getting in the way of the hookers and dope dealers?
State Rep. Lyla Berg said she'll likely join the crowded all-male Democratic field running for lieutenant governor in 2010. Why not? Mazie Hirono proved a woman can do irrelevance every bit as well as a man.
Councilman Rod Tam can't decide whether his experience best fits the race for lieutenant governor or a run for Honolulu mayor. It's a tough call. He's firmly established his cluelessness on both sides of Punchbowl Street.
Sen. Donna Mercado Kim blasted state elections chief Kevin Cronin for giving his staff raises and seeking one for himself. Dude, read the memo. The only ones who get raises in this economy are the legislators.
Speaking of whom, Hawai'i has the country's fourth most expensive Legislature on a per-capita basis, but nobody is up in arms. I guess we're used to paying steak prices for hamburger.
And the quote of the week ... from Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi on a possible labor agreement for teacher furlough days: "Whether we like it or not, there is going to be a negative impact on school days." Translation: The next furlough notices are going to the students.
