HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-03 Letter to Ricky Mattice re reintroduction of railways to Hawaii Island : V....' Wit Okabe
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25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
June 3, 2019
Mr. Ricky A. Mattice
P.O. Box 331
Volcano, HI 96785-0331
Dear Mr. Mattice:
Thank you for your letter of May 28, 2019 in which you suggest the reintroduction
of railways to Hawai'i Island.
I will be honest and say that I do not agree that undertaking the construction of a
railway system would be beneficial to our Island. The cost for a rail system on this
island would be prohibitive.
I do agree with you about the need to improve our bus system, and am happy to
report that our Mass Transit Agency is undertaking a major overhaul and enhancement
of its fleet of buses, routes and reliability.
What we envision is a bus system that people can count on, with the bus arriving
on time so that more of the public will want to ride the Hele-On Bus rather than drive
their private cars to work or school. With more people trusting that the bus will be on
schedule, the number of cars on the road should decrease.
Thank you for taking the time to write to me and share your valuable ideas to
make life nicer on our beloved Island.
Aloha,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer