I love it. I ride it to work most every day. I really love not sitting in traffic. When I ride, I don't drive 35 miles in my vehicle per day. The rail moved and improved utilities along the route and improved the roads. It also brought federal money in and jobs for locals. When the airport station opens, a lot of people will use it for that. Nothing is ever perfect but this is only the start.
@@joemarshall712 love that. Like I said in the video, it’s important that we utilize it at this point to at least make use of the billions of money already poured into it. I definitely would use it if I live on that side of the island
I was just there (this month Nov 2024). Didn't know what this was about, when I saw it (in person)(other than it "looked pretty new"). Your video explained a lot. Thanks!
I agree that Skyline is Hawaii's most hated construction project, as it's the most expensive in our state's history and is both behind schedule and over budget. But I think it's an exaggeration to say the people of Hawaii hate it, which implies almost everyone here is against it. In fact the population is split roughly 50-50 for and against, between people who understand the long-term need for the project and those who are intensely frustrated at the delays and cost overruns. Having said that, I think your conclusion is right on. Skyline is here to stay and is actually well designed and operated by both national and international standards. The rider experience is good. The big problem is that the currently open segment doesn't effectively serve commuters, and won't until the system is completed all the way to downtown (and hopefully onward to Ala Moana). Ridership should increase somewhat next year when service reaches Middle Street, but the reality is that we won't be able to fully judge whether Skyline was worth the investment until it's done.
Agreed. Like many new things, there’s a bit of getting used to. The H3 I heard also had many doubters. But as windward resident, it’s one of the most useful highways on the island in my opinion.
@@GodwinIsaac The feds paid for 90% of the H3, or $1.17 billion out of the $1.3 billion construction cost because it’s usable by military equipment between military bases. The current cost “estimate” for the shortened rail route is $9.933 billion, per hart. According to hart’s 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, section 3.1,j) “Overall, 17 percent of the currently forecast Project funding is from federal sources (the FFGA funds and the FY 2021 grant) while 83 percent is provided by local funding, with GET being the predominant source of local funding (66 percent of total funding).” The Oahu taxpayers share will be ~$8.3 billion, and it’s currently 11 years behind schedule. In their 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, hart estimates the final 1.2 miles to Ala Moana will cost $1.367 billion, but no funding exits for it.
47% of the people voted against rail. It’s easy to see why. “The anti-rail campaign was ultimately outspent by the City and various rail proponents by a ratio of 100 to 1.” Mineta Transportation Institute - REVISITING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUCCESS OF BALLOT INITIATIVES WITH A SUBSTANTIAL RAIL TRANSIT COMPONENT 6/11
@@gsn794 It could be worse. Have you heard about the automated people mover project at Los Angeles airport? It's going to be a 2.25 mile long elevated loop that connects six stations with driverless train cars like Skyline's. It was approved in 2018 and was scheduled to be completed in 2023 but the estimated start of service is now in 2026. Also the cost has ballooned to $3.34 billion, which on a per-mile basis is almost three times the currently estimated cost of Skyline.
@@MongooseTales As for “it could be worse,” it could have been much better too. Honolulu - 55mph, 18.9 miles, 19 stations, 20 years, $9.93 billion Nagano to Kanazawa - 160+ mph, 142 miles (60+ miles in tunnels), seven stations, 21 years, $14.2 billion To sum up: Honolulu $525 million per mile, .95 miles per year. Nagano to Kanazawa $120 million per mile, 6.7 miles per year hart estimates the final 1.2 miles and two stations from the imaginary “civic center” to Ala Moana at $1.367 billion, but no funding exists. If they do make it to Ala Moana for a total of $11.3 billion in 203X as per their 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, the cost will be $565 million per mile, vs the $256 million per mile with an in service date of 1/31/2020, per the original contract with the FTA, signed on 12/19/2012. BTW, the interim opening to the stadium was originally “scheduled” for 2016.
I regret being a staunch supporter of this product. Using rail in Japan, Bangkok, and BART, I thought it great that we would have a similar system. More than twice the price of the projected cost I am very disappointed.
Every project you mention was built long before covid and before Insane inflation effected the entire planet. This is by far the most advanced transit project in the US. It blows BART away. Once it's complete the benefits will be amazing. Its for future generations, more than for us. Just like people bitched and moaned about BART being built, now they can't imagine life without it. I domt think people understand just how difficult it is building a infastrucutre project like this on an island that's 3000 miles from the mainland. Every little material needs to be shipped. Couple that with post covid inflation, and obviously it's expensive. Shit happens. 10-12 billion is a small price to pay for making Honolulu less reliant on freeways and cars, and making Honolulu a more walkable and transit oriented place. We cough up trillions for the military every year, but people complain about 10 billion over a 20 plus year period lol. This is what always separates the US from other first world countries, people are so short sited and complain about taxes, while their tax dollars get spent on foreign countries and the military and they never seem to question it. Me personally I don't mind coughing up tax dollars for a much needed infastrucutre project. Obviously things could have been better, but when I see the HSR project in california might cost 120 billion and won't be done until 2040, i realize it could've been alot worse. Atleast we are seeing the results, the project is getting done, and soon we will have the rail connected to the airport and middle street. Which will be a huge quality of life improvement for everyone living west of kalihi.
09:30 Why make the initial terminus Aloha Stadium when the stadium was going to be demolished? It would've been nice if there were major events, other than the swap meet, held there. But, alas, the stadium is shut down. I live in Ewa and the only destinations I am interested in now is the airport and Downtown. Wondering if the new Aloha Stadium will be built before the next decade?!
@@GodwinIsaacthey couldn’t do downtown to airport 1st because the operations and maintenance facility needed to be somewhere less dense (ie on cheaper land). But I agree, phase 1 should’ve included the airport.
@@classyfiftynine8208 mahalo for watching! it’s $7.50 for unlimited ride and $2 for the card since I didn’t have one. Single ride is $3. Hope this helps 😄
What are your thoughts about the rail? Comment below ⬇️
I love it. I ride it to work most every day. I really love not sitting in traffic. When I ride, I don't drive 35 miles in my vehicle per day. The rail moved and improved utilities along the route and improved the roads. It also brought federal money in and jobs for locals. When the airport station opens, a lot of people will use it for that. Nothing is ever perfect but this is only the start.
@@joemarshall712 love that. Like I said in the video, it’s important that we utilize it at this point to at least make use of the billions of money already poured into it. I definitely would use it if I live on that side of the island
I was just there (this month Nov 2024). Didn't know what this was about, when I saw it (in person)(other than it "looked pretty new"). Your video explained a lot. Thanks!
Thanks for watching 😁
Awesome video ❤
Thank you! 🥰
Great video! Please make more!
Thank you!
The rail may disappoint me, but halohalo never will.
Preach 🙏🏽
It’s cool that you incorporate baybayin…( an ancient filipino script ) on your video.
@@CupOfJoe365 thank you ☺️ just paying homage to my roots ✌🏼😌
They should have started rail project. In late 70s
Not sure if it would make sense since there wasn’t as much traffic? 🤔
I agree that Skyline is Hawaii's most hated construction project, as it's the most expensive in our state's history and is both behind schedule and over budget. But I think it's an exaggeration to say the people of Hawaii hate it, which implies almost everyone here is against it. In fact the population is split roughly 50-50 for and against, between people who understand the long-term need for the project and those who are intensely frustrated at the delays and cost overruns.
Having said that, I think your conclusion is right on. Skyline is here to stay and is actually well designed and operated by both national and international standards. The rider experience is good. The big problem is that the currently open segment doesn't effectively serve commuters, and won't until the system is completed all the way to downtown (and hopefully onward to Ala Moana). Ridership should increase somewhat next year when service reaches Middle Street, but the reality is that we won't be able to fully judge whether Skyline was worth the investment until it's done.
Agreed. Like many new things, there’s a bit of getting used to. The H3 I heard also had many doubters. But as windward resident, it’s one of the most useful highways on the island in my opinion.
@@GodwinIsaac The feds paid for 90% of the H3, or $1.17 billion out of the $1.3 billion construction cost because it’s usable by military equipment between military bases. The current cost “estimate” for the shortened rail route is $9.933 billion, per hart.
According to hart’s 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, section 3.1,j)
“Overall, 17 percent of the currently forecast Project funding is from federal sources (the FFGA funds and the FY 2021 grant) while 83 percent is provided by local funding, with GET being the predominant source of local funding (66 percent of total funding).”
The Oahu taxpayers share will be ~$8.3 billion, and it’s currently 11 years behind schedule. In their 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, hart estimates the final 1.2 miles to Ala Moana will cost $1.367 billion, but no funding exits for it.
47% of the people voted against rail. It’s easy to see why.
“The anti-rail campaign was ultimately outspent by the City and various rail proponents by a ratio of 100 to 1.” Mineta Transportation Institute - REVISITING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUCCESS OF BALLOT INITIATIVES WITH A SUBSTANTIAL RAIL TRANSIT COMPONENT 6/11
@@gsn794 It could be worse. Have you heard about the automated people mover project at Los Angeles airport? It's going to be a 2.25 mile long elevated loop that connects six stations with driverless train cars like Skyline's. It was approved in 2018 and was scheduled to be completed in 2023 but the estimated start of service is now in 2026. Also the cost has ballooned to $3.34 billion, which on a per-mile basis is almost three times the currently estimated cost of Skyline.
@@MongooseTales
As for “it could be worse,” it could have been much better too.
Honolulu - 55mph, 18.9 miles, 19 stations, 20 years, $9.93 billion
Nagano to Kanazawa - 160+ mph, 142 miles (60+ miles in tunnels), seven stations, 21 years, $14.2 billion
To sum up: Honolulu $525 million per mile, .95 miles per year. Nagano to Kanazawa $120 million per mile, 6.7 miles per year
hart estimates the final 1.2 miles and two stations from the imaginary “civic center” to Ala Moana at $1.367 billion, but no funding exists. If they do make it to Ala Moana for a total of $11.3 billion in 203X as per their 6/3/2022 “recovery” plan, the cost will be $565 million per mile, vs the $256 million per mile with an in service date of 1/31/2020, per the original contract with the FTA, signed on 12/19/2012.
BTW, the interim opening to the stadium was originally “scheduled” for 2016.
I regret being a staunch supporter of this product. Using rail in Japan, Bangkok, and BART, I thought it great that we would have a similar system. More than twice the price of the projected cost I am very disappointed.
@@harveyh3696 I hated the fact that we were building something like this on a small island but we’re here now so we should just utilize it 🤷🏽♂️
Every project you mention was built long before covid and before Insane inflation effected the entire planet. This is by far the most advanced transit project in the US. It blows BART away. Once it's complete the benefits will be amazing. Its for future generations, more than for us. Just like people bitched and moaned about BART being built, now they can't imagine life without it. I domt think people understand just how difficult it is building a infastrucutre project like this on an island that's 3000 miles from the mainland. Every little material needs to be shipped. Couple that with post covid inflation, and obviously it's expensive. Shit happens. 10-12 billion is a small price to pay for making Honolulu less reliant on freeways and cars, and making Honolulu a more walkable and transit oriented place. We cough up trillions for the military every year, but people complain about 10 billion over a 20 plus year period lol. This is what always separates the US from other first world countries, people are so short sited and complain about taxes, while their tax dollars get spent on foreign countries and the military and they never seem to question it. Me personally I don't mind coughing up tax dollars for a much needed infastrucutre project. Obviously things could have been better, but when I see the HSR project in california might cost 120 billion and won't be done until 2040, i realize it could've been alot worse. Atleast we are seeing the results, the project is getting done, and soon we will have the rail connected to the airport and middle street. Which will be a huge quality of life improvement for everyone living west of kalihi.
Thats the last time you will ride the rail until you make another UA-cam video
@@hicharbud lmao. You’re not wrong. I live on the other side of the island so the rail is useless to me.
09:30 Why make the initial terminus Aloha Stadium when the stadium was going to be demolished? It would've been nice if there were major events, other than the swap meet, held there. But, alas, the stadium is shut down.
I live in Ewa and the only destinations I am interested in now is the airport and Downtown.
Wondering if the new Aloha Stadium will be built before the next decade?!
@@harveyh3696 they should’ve made it to the airport first or town to airport. Some thing more useful route
@@GodwinIsaacthey couldn’t do downtown to airport 1st because the operations and maintenance facility needed to be somewhere less dense (ie on cheaper land). But I agree, phase 1 should’ve included the airport.
@@Greatgastly1 oh, I see. Never thought about it that day 🤔
Mahalo for your clip !
I would have like to know your fares (cost) for your venture.
@@classyfiftynine8208 mahalo for watching! it’s $7.50 for unlimited ride and $2 for the card since I didn’t have one. Single ride is $3. Hope this helps 😄