Neil's Notebook - Working for transportation options and affordable housing in Hawaii
June 17, 2008
KITV 4 News in Honolulu recently featured Congressman Abercrombie’s support for a rail transit system for Honolulu, as a citizen’s group circulates a petition against the proposed transportation alternative. Abercrombie, a long-time proponent of a Honolulu rail system, says the resulting construction would pump millions of federal dollars into the local economy.
Abercrombie, who has worked to bring federal dollars to Hawaii for a mass transit system, says rail construction would also help to address the chronic lack of affordable housing in Hawaii.
“With integrated planning, we can match future housing needs with transportation infrastructure. Development rights around transit stops can be leveraged for true housing affordability that will put home ownership within the reach of our island’s working families. In short, mass transit will provide everyone with opportunities beyond transportation," says Abercrombie.
Photo below: Houston's light rail system was one of the technologies Honolulu has considered for its proposed mass transit line.
