Our Champion in D.C.

From Kapolei Magazine, 2009 edition

It’s a fact that a good transportation system is the economic backbone of cities like Kapolei.  So Kapolei has been fortunate to have an effective champion in the form of Senator Daniel K. Inouye who has been bringing in vital federal funds for Hawaii’s transportation system.

As Kapolei implements government’s policy of directing Oahu’s growth to West Oahu, the state is building a critical network of highways and roads to ease traffic flow in and around the region.  This is due in great part to the federal funding secured by Senator Inouye and his Congressional colleagues Senator Dan Akaka, Congressman Neil Abercrombie, and area Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, who also sits on the House Transportation Committee.

In 2005, Kapolei received an infusion of $40.8 million in federal funding for the Kapolei Interchange and North-South Road.  The state recently opened the North-South Road interchange that connects H-1 Freeway to Farrington Highway, and started construction on phase one of the Kapolei Interchange.

As a long-time advocate for transit, Senator Inouye was also key in securing more than $35 million in federal funds for the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project that will connect West Oahu with downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana.  He recently requested another $30 million for rail transit this year.  Once the environmental work sand planning are completed, he is committed to seeking the federal share of $1 billion and possibly more.

“This project will have the dual benefit of relieving traffic congestion from West Oahu to Honolulu, while creating an estimated 10,000 jobs in construction and related industries,” said Senator Inouye.  “It’s a decade overdue.  Let’s get moving.”