Some recent headlines and stories, to ponder, pontificate on, or ignore…
The Department of Transportation plans to remove unstable rocks above a portion of Kalanianaole Highway. This boulder and debris mitigation was first studied, and is undoubtedly a smart preemptive move, but it makes you wonder about other cliffs above Mānoa, Nu`uanu, Makapuu, Kailua, Waianae, and Pearl City, not to mention abundant, leaning trees we see just off our roadways. While impossible to deal with all the preventative maintenance that might be needed (roads, bridges, piers, beaches, erosion, et al.), this work should remind us that our tax dollars can only go so far…
Huh?? We’ve been commenting on our local population decrease for years as outmigration (plus deaths) has exceeded immigration (plus births). Now the U.S. Census Bureau is contradicting that data by stating that Hawai`i realized small population gains the last two years. Local economists immediately questioned these new 2022-2023 census recalculations, citing the Bureau’s formula that accounts for national immigration standards being applied to every state. Thus, a methodology concern arises. It’s hard to sense that we have more residents here now, yeh? Meanwhile, our morphing population base locally isn’t getting any younger…
Why would many be stunned that rebuilding a new, hopefully-world-class Aloha Stadium might now cost up to $650 million? The original estimate of $350 million (which was merely an estimate almost 10 years ago) assumed the much-needed replacement would be built quickly, in calmer, pre-pandemic times. Never happened. As a 2016-2024 Stadium Authority member, I was involved and flustered throughout eight years of protracted delays, promises, approvals, obfuscation, political gamesmanship, and general disinterest… until finally UH (and others) had/has no Hālawa home. We delude ourselves with champagne tastes and beer budget realities; and time is always an enemy regarding construction and opportunity costs. Here’s to watching our UH Warriors next home Hālawa football game- August, 2028…
Finally, back to the DOT… kudos to State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen for doing a mea culpa when traffic got backed up on the H-1 for hours on a February weekend. Yes, a government official took blame for a botched plan related to overly-coned lanes in West O`ahu which slowed traffic and was rectified once the error was noticed. How refreshing when someone admits that it wasn’t the system, or the sun got in my eyes, or the dog chewed my paper; just a screw-up.
Think about it…