Sen. Dan Inouye Wants Rail — And Caldwell for Honolulu Mayor

honolulu-politics:

One of the nation’s most powerful members of Congress, Hawaii’s Sen. Dan Inouye, has endorsed Kirk Caldwell for mayor of Honolulu, according to news from Caldwell’s campaign today.

Inouye cited Caldwell’s pro-rail position as a major reason for backing him instead of his anti-rail opponent, Ben Cayetano.

Senator Inouye: “I have always been a supporter of rail because it will provide much needed relief for West Oahu and offers new real transit solutions to our growing communities. Ben Cayetano’s plan for more buses is not the way to the future and will only create additional congestion to Oahu’s traffic problems. In addition, his estimated financial plan is purely speculative and the $1.55 billion that has already been designated for the rail project is not transferable, period. If he succeeds in his campaign to stop rail now, Hawaii will not receive this financial opportunity from the federal government again. Our time is now. Let’s not throw away the critical $1.55 billion investment that Hawaii’s economy needs.”

Check out more on the endorsement here. 

— Nathan Eagle