Mayor Caldwell hits back on Rail, Blaisdell projects

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has issued a statement in response to the public letter Speaker of the State House or Representatives Scott Saiki circulated this past Wednesday, November 8, in which he criticizes Caldwell’s decision to push forward with a second major public works even as the city struggles to get a handle on the Rail project. The mayor’s statement hits back at the Speaker, pointing out that the two projects have different funding sources.

While Caldwell doesn’t directly accuse the Speaker, his statement implies that the Speaker omitted that information to intentionally deceive the public:

Funding for the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Master Plan and construction of the rail project come from completely different sources. Any attempt to confuse the public regarding these separate funding sources does a disservice to our community.

The rail project is being funded by Oʻahu’s half-percent surcharge to the general excise tax, the $1.55 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, and a portion of the hotel room tax. On the other hand, the Blaisdell Master Plan will be funded by city-issued bonds and the possibility of public-private partnerships.

We don’t want the Blaisdell to become Hawaiʻi’s next Aloha Stadium where taxpayer resources are going toward ever-increasing maintenance and upkeep costs. Just as important, Honolulu is competing with entertainment venues across the U.S. Continent and Asia, and top acts have already refused to book the Blaisdell because of the facility’s deteriorating condition. 

As mayor I will continue to focus on improving Oʻahu’s infrastructure as our residents and visitors deserve nothing less.