In Honolulu former governor out of retirement to fight wasteful debt-building rail project

Former Hawaii Governor Ben Cayetano announced he was coming out of retirement to run for  Honolulu Mayor on a platform of ending the hugely expensive Honolulu rail project. 

“Projects built by our city or state should be designed so they are consistent with our core values – our relationship to our 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. This is not the legacy I want left to future generations. It is irresponsible for us to burden them with huge debt."

He said the railway as well as leaving a mountain of debt would scar the beauty of the city with "a wall of concrete snaking along its waterfront, running over ancient burial sites."

"Our future generations deserve better," said Cayetano who will be 73 this year.

He is running against current Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and former interim Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.

TOLLROADSnews 2012-01-19