Honolulu Rail To Break Ground

[GG-1]

Aloha

A wheel and "snubber" Came off in testing. And due to excessive testing before any passengers were using the system some parts reached their expected life. The route chosen has, if I recall correctly, is three different turns from one street to another that are typical of street cars. Previous Alweg designs had sweeping gradual curves. As a matter of interest the first Monorails to take to the beams were the original Florida trains from Bally's to MGM.

I just looked at the current route map here and it shows 5 apparent 90 degree curves. Sorry I don't know the official radius of these curves. If the planners had put it where is should have been placed, in the middle of the strip, all of it's curves would have been broader. Various story's suggest that it was placed behind the East Side Casino's is because funding came from these casinos and they did not want the west side casino's benefiting and/or disturbing the look of the casino fronts. These to decisions have effectively prevented the complete success as a real transit system. It, even in bankruptcy, is fully paying it;s operational cost, but not the construction loans of profits to its investors.

 

[GG-1]

Aloha

Here is the latest Groundbreaking date set

 

[Nexis4Jersey]

Rapid Transit Closer to Realization as Honolulu’s Rail Project Breaks Ground

Interesting.....its not as dense as i thought it was...

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Anyone who wants to live in Hawaii, with its absurd pricing, is a lunatic. I'm sure this line will cost riders $6-12-35 a ride.

 

[Nexis4Jersey]

Anyone who wants to live in Hawaii, with its absurd pricing, is a lunatic. I'm sure this line will cost riders $6-12-35 a ride.

The Same could be said about this state...

 

[rrdude]

Anyone who wants to live in Hawaii, with its absurd pricing, is a lunatic. I'm sure this line will cost riders $6-12-35 a ride.

Anyone who DOESN'T want to live in Hawai'i is a lunatic. And I love the cold, snowy weather too!

What shocks me is that WikiWiki wasn't included in the original plan, they show it as an extension........

 

[Bob Dylan]

Anyone who wants to live in Hawaii, with its absurd pricing, is a lunatic. I'm sure this line will cost riders $6-12-35 a ride.

:hi: Since one of our Members lived in Hawaii before moving to Lost Wages, think his comments would be interesting! Ive only visited there, Loved it :wub: , and while pricey, the people there seem to be Happier than the poor states (ie the South and California and the Rust Belt :lol: ). I lived in the NE for many years and also Broke-i-fornia and didn't find them any cheaper than Hawaii! Only negative is No Amtrak IMO! :giggle:

 

[GG-1]

Anyone who wants to live in Hawaii, with its absurd pricing, is a lunatic. I'm sure this line will cost riders $6-12-35 a ride.

Anyone who DOESN'T want to live in Hawai'i is a lunatic. And I love the cold, snowy weather too!

What shocks me is that WikiWiki wasn't included in the original plan, they show it as an extension........

Aloha

What will be more shocking to Jim is Waikiki is not in any plan that I remember. And the Salt lake proposal was at several different times,the planed route. Guess I need to dig out the DVD I received because I testified i favor of a system, preferring a Monorail. Construction of a system should start at Ala Moana and build both ways to Kapolei and Hawaii Kai. That small strip of the Island has about 75% (guess) of the Island population. I seem to remember Oahu's official population being 1 million.

The reason I left the Island was cost compared to income. As I have aged working 16 hour work days was more than I could do. 1175 for less than 500 sq. ft. was 2 much. Then Lost Wages :giggle: is closer to my children. I f not for this Honolulu is great. Family is a community. Those making it are wealthy or bought homes before around 1970. At my age beach living is out of the question.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

The Same could be said about this state...

New Jersey is the nicest, most beautiful, most lovely state in the entire country, and anyone who says otherwise is presently in Elizabeth. We've got mountains, forests, cities, beaches, lovely warm summers, deliciously cold winters, beautifully colorful falls, flowery springs. Nowhere in this country can you get all of that in such a small space.

:hi: Since one of our Members lived in Hawaii before moving to Lost Wages, think his comments would be interesting! Ive only visited there, Loved it :wub: , and while pricey, the people there seem to be Happier than the poor states (ie the South and California and the Rust Belt :lol: ). I lived in the NE for many years and also Broke-i-fornia and didn't find them any cheaper than Hawaii! Only negative is No Amtrak IMO! :giggle:

Being perpetually happy is a clear sign of being neurotic, if not psychotic. The world is a rotten, awful place full of extremely stupid, extremely dishonest, extremely selfish [entrance to alimentary canal]s. Hawaii is much like south Florida, full of people living in denial of the filth, corruption, and misery actually existing around them. People who can't accept that the world is a rotten place, and live with it, sicken me.

Pretending the reality of life doesn't exist is not a way to fix the problems of that reality.

 

[GG-1]

The Same could be said about this state...

New Jersey is the nicest, most beautiful, most lovely state in the entire country, and anyone who says otherwise is presently in Elizabeth. We've got mountains, forests, cities, beaches, lovely warm summers, deliciously cold winters, beautifully colorful falls, flowery springs. Nowhere in this country can you get all of that in such a small space.

Since I started my life in Jersey most of what you just wrote is true, but you forget the Big Island Hawaii has all of this 12 months of the year. One can actually go snow Skiing and to the beach in the same day.

:hi: Since one of our Members lived in Hawaii before moving to Lost Wages, think his comments would be interesting! Ive only visited there, Loved it :wub: , and while pricey, the people there seem to be Happier than the poor states (ie the South and California and the Rust Belt :lol: ). I lived in the NE for many years and also Broke-i-fornia and didn't find them any cheaper than Hawaii! Only negative is No Amtrak IMO! :giggle:

Being perpetually happy is a clear sign of being neurotic, if not psychotic. The world is a rotten, awful place full of extremely stupid, extremely dishonest, extremely selfish [entrance to alimentary canal]s. Hawaii is much like south Florida, full of people living in denial of the filth, corruption, and misery actually existing around them. People who can't accept that the world is a rotten place, and live with it, sicken me.

Pretending the reality of life doesn't exist is not a way to fix the problems of that reality.

Well I am happy to report So what if I am neurotic, wait no I am not, because I know the bad exist, butt choose not to be brought down to that level while changing the thing's I can and knowing that there are things I can not change , and knowing the difference. hmnn did I just steal a quote?

 

[rrdude]

The Same could be said about this state...

New Jersey is the nicest, most beautiful, most lovely state in the entire country, and anyone who says otherwise is presently in Elizabeth. We've got mountains, forests, cities, beaches, lovely warm summers, deliciously cold winters, beautifully colorful falls, flowery springs. Nowhere in this country can you get all of that in such a small space.

:hi: Since one of our Members lived in Hawaii before moving to Lost Wages, think his comments would be interesting! Ive only visited there, Loved it :wub: , and while pricey, the people there seem to be Happier than the poor states (ie the South and California and the Rust Belt :lol: ). I lived in the NE for many years and also Broke-i-fornia and didn't find them any cheaper than Hawaii! Only negative is No Amtrak IMO! :giggle:

Being perpetually happy is a clear sign of being neurotic, if not psychotic. The world is a rotten, awful place full of extremely stupid, extremely dishonest, extremely selfish [entrance to alimentary canal]s. Hawaii is much like south Florida, full of people living in denial of the filth, corruption, and misery actually existing around them. People who can't accept that the world is a rotten place, and live with it, sicken me.

Pretending the reality of life doesn't exist is not a way to fix the problems of that reality.

You finally did it. I am speechless. There are no words to describe, at least in this forum, the way I...... Oh wait, it doesn't matter, because you don't know me, and hence could care less, blah, blah, blah,.

I'm glad we have at least someone in this forum who is right 100% of the time, and whose opinions are Gospel. Let me know when you start handing out the laced Kool-Aid.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I stand by my opinions, and fight to the death my right to have them. But RRdude, I would fight to the death to preserve your right to disagree with them, too.

 

[rrdude]

I stand by my opinions, and fight to the death my right to have them. But RRdude, I would fight to the death to preserve your right to disagree with them, too.

Good to know, at least we have two things in common, love of rail travel, and right to express one's opinion.

 

[sechs]

We've got mountains, forests, cities, beaches, lovely warm summers, deliciously cold winters, beautifully colorful falls, flowery springs. Nowhere in this country can you get all of that in such a small space.

Nowhere, including New Jersey, of course. Then again, at last check, New Hampshire had these things in less space....

 

[DET63]

We've got mountains, forests, cities, beaches, lovely warm summers, deliciously cold winters, beautifully colorful falls, flowery springs. Nowhere in this country can you get all of that in such a small space.

Nowhere, including New Jersey, of course. Then again, at last check, New Hampshire had these things in less space....

The highest point in New Jersey, called, appropriately enough, High Point, is 1,803 feet above sea level. In many western states, including California and Hawaii, not only would such a place not be considered a mountain, it probably wouldn't even be given a name.

 

[George Harris]

The highest point in New Jersey, called, appropriately enough, High Point, is 1,803 feet above sea level. In many western states, including California and Hawaii, not only would such a place not be considered a mountain, it probably wouldn't even be given a name.

And in a lot of the midwestern states, it would be a deep hole in the ground. Remember, Denver, "the mile high city" is on the plain at the bottom of the mountains.

And then the opposite extreme: There was a place in the vicinity of Houston TX called "Mount Houston" guess somebody stubbed their toe on a bump on the ground.

 

[DET63]

Speaking of Houston, I remember that the arena the Rockets used to play in was called The Summit. (I believe it's now the Osteens' mega-church.) Some sportscaster once pointed out the irony of a place with that name in a city without any hills.

The good thing about all of that is that, for any rail system in existence or eventually built in Houston, the ruling grade in any direction is going to be essentially 0!

 

[George Harris]

Speaking of Houston, I remember that the arena the Rockets used to play in was called The Summit. (I believe it's now the Osteens' mega-church.) Some sportscaster once pointed out the irony of a place with that name in a city without any hills.

The good thing about all of that is that, for any rail system in existence or eventually built in Houston, the ruling grade in any direction is going to be essentially 0!

However to build a subway would be a really bad idea! (Why do you think Miami's system is all elevated?)

 

[WhoozOn1st]

Honolulu rail project to get $55M in federal funds this year

"'Federal funds are hard to come by in the current budget climate, and the fact that Honolulu will receive everything the president asked for is very encouraging,' [u.S. Senator Daniel] Inouye said in a statement.

_______________

And...

City's poll finds majority favors rail

"A city-commissioned poll conducted last month showed that 57 percent of people on Oahu support the $5.3 billion rail transit project."

On the linked page an embedded gizmo of the poll is poorly placed above the news story about poll results; just scroll down.

_______________

A "yes2rail" blog provides ongoing updates, and support, for the newly created and about-to-exist Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART). As with any major transit project there are political shenanigans...

Say Yes to the Honolulu Rail System

"Honolulu's soon-to-be-built rail transit system makes sense for Oahu residents no matter where you live. It will improve mobility for islanders who must commute along the Kapolei-Downtown corridor, and it'll cut traffic congestion from projected levels by about 18%. If you're put off that I'm a paid communications consultant on the project and started this blog specifically to advance it, you probably don't want to read any further."

 

[stntylr]

It makes sense that the regular people who have to drive in Honolulu's perpetual traffic jam want rail. The only people who are against it are those who have there own agenda. They have to convice the people of Honolulu that trafic jams are great and zipping past a non moving mass of cars is no good.

 

[George Harris]

Honolulu is a city made for transit. It is sandwiched between ocean and mountain, basically a strip city. Every last drop of oil burned by automobiles (and eveerything else that uses oil) has to come in by ship, and whether used or not, they have a handy source of heat that should be able to generate all the electricity they could ever use.

The only difficult to understand part of the whole thing is why the did not start building transit 50 or more years ago rather than filling the downtown area with parking garages.

 

[GG-1]

Honolulu is a city made for transit. It is sandwiched between ocean and mountain, basically a strip city. Every last drop of oil burned by automobiles (and eveerything else that uses oil) has to come in by ship, and whether used or not, they have a handy source of heat that should be able to generate all the electricity they could ever use.

The only difficult to understand part of the whole thing is why the did not start building transit 50 or more years ago rather than filling the downtown area with parking garages.

Aloha

George, you are correct about everything except the heat source for electricity. I suspect you are suggesting the volcano. On Oahu that source is not active.

As to why it wasn't built in the last 50 years the answer is "Politics" in the most wasteful abuse of the public. During the 49 years I lived on Oahu, I voted yes 3 times for a system. And it still hasn't happened and the residents have been paying an extra tax for it for quite a while. I hope I live long enough to get at least one ride for my part of the tax I paid before I left the Island.

 

[RCrierie]

Hence Ike's little white lie that the Interstate Highway System (IHS) were for the military

I suggest you google STRAHNET, and look at why we have 16'3" clearances in general on the IHS. If you want to build a bridge/tunnel shorter than that, you generally have to coodinate with DOD to ensure that the shorter clearances don't impair possible military mobility.

 

[AlanB]

Hence Ike's little white lie that the Interstate Highway System (IHS) were for the military

I suggest you google STRAHNET, and look at why we have 16'3" clearances in general on the IHS. If you want to build a bridge/tunnel shorter than that, you generally have to coodinate with DOD to ensure that the shorter clearances don't impair possible military mobility.

A rule passed to support the little white lie.

Look, I'm not saying that the military doesn't use the IHS, although less so now than it did originally. But the initial proposal for the IHS didn't make any mention of the military. It was simply a good idea that President Eisenhower brought home from Germany. When the plan got voted down and had little public support; that was when the military compenent became part of the plan. Since we spend any amount of money no matter how insane for the military in this country, the IHS then passed with flying colors.

 

[George Harris]

Look, I'm not saying that the military doesn't use the IHS, although less so now than it did originally. But the initial proposal for the IHS didn't make any mention of the military. It was simply a good idea that President Eisenhower brought home from Germany. When the plan got voted down and had little public support; that was when the military compenent became part of the plan. Since we spend any amount of money no matter how insane for the military in this country, the IHS then passed with flying colors.

It was initially called the Interstate and Defense Highway System. Supposedly it could be closed to public access during time of ememrgency and given over completly to military use.

However: The BIG selling point is that it was funded 90% federal 10% state, unlike all other federal aid highway projects which were 50%-50%. In fact in the designated "public lands" states, the funding was 95%-5%. I don't recall which states these were, but Nevada was one of them.

Yes, I know the volcanos on Oahu are on longer active, but the hot rocks are still down there somewhere. Who knows? maybe an udersea cable from the big isalnd would be practical.