Honolulu, HI – Advisory, Nov. 2008

Honolulu, HI

Election Date: November 4, 2008
Type: Advisory
Revenue Type:
Transit Revenue Explanation:
Outcome: Win for Transit
Results: Passed, 53% - 47%

Mayor Mufi Hannemann wants to begin construction next year on a $3.7 billion, 20-mile elevated commuter rail line from east Kapolei to Ala Moana and complete the project by 2018. A nonprofit group, Stop Rail Now, launched a petition drive in April to put the rail issue on the November ballot. Although 40,000 signatures were collected, legal challenges prevented the referendum from officially qualifying. The Honolulu City Council recently voted unanimously to allow voters to decide whether to build a commuter rail system, but several hurdles remain before it can be placed on the ballot.