NOW ON THE HOT SEAT: City Councilman Charles Djou
August 14th, 2008 by Jeanne Mariani-BeldingThe debate around transit has once again landed in the lap of the City Council. The Council, led by a proposal offered up by rail opponent Charles Djou, is considering an amendment to the City Charter to let voters weigh in on transit. The final wording and structure of that proposal remains unclear.
Councilman Djou joins us today for our live blog chat, where he’ll answer your questions live from noon to 1 pm.
Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Please keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get to as many questions as possible; and keep it civil, no personal attacks please.
All set? Let’s chat
August 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Welcome to the Hot Seat! Joining us for the next hour to take your questions is Councilman Charles Djou. To get us started, here’s a question sent earlier vi e-mail from Debra:
Councilman Djou:
I live in Hawaii Kai and have for decades, and frankly, I think your opposition of transit is short sighted and provincial. Please explain why we in Hawaii Kai should not support relief for people coming in from the West side? I feel the silent majority of east side residents support rail — have you take your own poll to determine how many truly support rail in your district? Are you hearing all voices, not just the loudest ones? ?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Aloha everyone! I'm happy to be here and look forward to your questions.
Debra, it may surprise you that I am not against rail per se. My concern is that a rail system for Honolulu is too expensive, the people can not afford it and the system will not achieve the ridership numbers necessary to justify its enormous cost. My position on rail centers on financial realities, not loud voices. With that said, I have also long been the lone voice arguing that the voters should have the final say on rail. It is my hope that the people will have an opportunity to vote on rail this fall and settle this three-decade long dispute once and for all. Virtually every other U.S. city that has opted for rail has given the people a vote, Oahu voters deserve the same respect and I will certainly respect whatever the outcome may be of such a vote.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Here’s one sent in from Tom:
Our economy in Hawaii is in a major slump. With the transit on the horizon, will the taxpayers ever get relief from property taxes or any other taxes
August 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Here’s another one from Kyle:
For Charles Djou… Let me say first I fell you’re dong a good job. It is discouraging to see a city council that can’t work together well. What are your plans to help change that?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Some people consider you a rising star in local politics. What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment in politics?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Here’s one sent in from Tom:
Our economy in Hawaii is in a major slump. With the transit on the horizon, will the taxpayers ever get relief from property taxes or any other taxes
**********************
Tom, your City government has increased taxes and government spending by far too much for far too long. Giving a teenager your credit card with no limit is often a dangerous act because the spender does not have to bear the consequences of paying for the spending. The City budget has acted in a similar fashion over the past several years. In just the past four years, City spending is up a whopping 72%! In the final year of Jeremy Harris’ term as mayor, the City government worked on a $1.5 bil. budget. For this year, the City has a budget of $2.7 bil. This increase is more than five times that of inflation and nearly quadruple that of personal income growth. The catch with all of this additional spending is that you get to pay for it. We never should have increased government taxes and spending by so much over the past few years and now that the economy is slowing, it is essential for the City to look at reducing taxes and returning more money to the economy.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hi Charles, my family really admires how you speak up on the important issues like the rail. What do you think about the use of taxpayer money for pro-rail ads?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Why the back and forth on rail in city council? With the increase in gas prices we need to have some type of alternative transportation. I read in the paper that there has been an increase in bus ridership which leads me to believe that people are willing to ride public transportation as long as its convenient.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Councilman, your "we can't afford it" mantra is a convenient way to duck this issue: Without grade-separated (rail) transit, commuters between ewa and town have no alternative to sitting in traffic. So in addition to explaining exactly why we can't afford it (beyond "No new taxes!"), what are you doing to increase mobility for residents who must travel the length of the urban corridor? What's your "low-cost" alternative to rail that will restore mobility to the citizens of this city?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Here’s another one from Kyle:
For Charles Djou… Let me say first I fell you’re dong a good job. It is discouraging to see a city council that can’t work together well. What are your plans to help change that?
********************
Hi Kyle, mahalo for your support and kind words. I certainly agree the City Council can use more aloha. Hope always springs eternal with me that my colleagues will find a way to get along. As a father, a military officer, a professor and as an elected official I have always felt the best way to lead is by example. I will continue to introduce and argue for ideas that I think will move our community forward, even if I am the lone voice for such ideas. I do not engage in the horse trading or linking of unrelated issues for political gain that so commonly characterizes our politics. I feel the voters should always be the ultimate judge on rewarding or punishing politicans and their leadership style.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Booyah:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Some people consider you a rising star in local politics. What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment in politics?
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Aloha Booyah! I take great pride in trying to restoring a sense of ethics and trust in our government. When I entered the City Council 6 years ago, two councilmembers had just been jailed and several others were under investigation. The FBI had also just completed a major corruption sting operation against the City’s liquor commission. Since entering the council I have successfully pushed for cleaning up the once troubled liquor commission. I have also advanced several major ethics reform proposals - including finally giving the power to the ethics commission to issue civil fines for ethics violations. An honest and ethical government is the fundamental foundation of any democracy. It is a fight worth fighting for and one I will continue to always advocate.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Councilmember, I have been watching the debate on transit. Do we really need a Transit Authority in Honolulu?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
HawaiiRn0120:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hi Charles, my family really admires how you speak up on the important issues like the rail. What do you think about the use of taxpayer money for pro-rail ads?
***************************
Aloha HawaiiRn0120! The City's pro-rail ads that are purchased with your tax dollars are wrong. The fact that the administration feels compelled to take your money and use it for political advertising to try to convince you that rail is a good idea, in and of itself should give any resident some pause about the wisdom of this project. Currently the City is also looking at a soft economy and slowing revenues, using precious tax dollars for advertising isn't good prioritization of our limited resources. In a democracy, whenever the government spends your money on advertising, whether for a legitimate purpose or a political one, you should always be made aware of it. I am proud that I was recently able to successfully I pushed for a new law that requires the City government to now at least disclose when it is using your tax money for advertising.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Mr.Djou, with Judge Sakamoto's ruling this morning on the Stop Rail Now petition to allow the rail question to be placed on the november ballot, will you still push for your charter questions in the city council?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
And here's one posted earlier from John:
Mr. Djou, Why are you so against rail transit? Every major metropolitan city has some sort or government subsidized rail system, whether be it rail, single rail or subway. Even third world countries have a rail system. If we don’t do it now, the Federal Gov. will never again help us out. This may be our last chance to raise the quality of life for many people who depend on mass transit.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Ladyluck:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Why the back and forth on rail in city council? With the increase in gas prices we need to have some type of alternative transportation. I read in the paper that there has been an increase in bus ridership which leads me to believe that people are willing to ride public transportation as long as its convenient.
****************************
Aloha Ladyluck! For me the key question isn't if people are willing to ride mass transit, studies show that people are. The question is if the people of Oahu can afford a $6 bil. rail system and will the ridership justify its enormous cost - I do not believe it will. The major issue before the government is if we are willing to have the courage to put a question on the ballot. I have always argued that this is the best way to finally settle this dispute once and for all. It continues to be my hope that you will get a question on rail this fall and this 'back and forth' will end.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Comma`aina:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Councilman, your “we can’t afford it” mantra is a convenient way to duck this issue: Without grade-separated (rail) transit, commuters between ewa and town have no alternative to sitting in traffic. So in addition to explaining exactly why we can’t afford it (beyond “No new taxes!”), what are you doing to increase mobility for residents who must travel the length of the urban corridor? What’s your “low-cost” alternative to rail that will restore mobility to the citizens of this city?
***********
Aloha Comma`aina, I support the HOT Lane alternative.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
HOT Lanes won't do it, Councilman. They'll eventually dump cars and buses right back into traffic -- plus add dramatically to the cost of commuting. So your "solution" won't do what Honolulu needs -- freedom of movement. (BTW, you didn't answer "why we can't afford it.")
August 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
If your community supported mass transit would would support mass transit? And advocate for it.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Kana From China:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Councilmember, I have been watching the debate on transit. Do we really need a Transit Authority in Honolulu?
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Aloha Kana from China! I hope you're enjoying the Olympics in China as much as my family and I are.
A transit authority is not necessary for our City. Other parts of the country have created transit authorities to supervise and operate mass transit systems, but only in the context of a multiple jurisdictions. Almost all rail systems in our nation are strung between several cities, numerous counties and occasionally even between several states. For Oahu’s mass transit system, there are no counties, no states and no other city governments other than the City and County of Honolulu to deal with. (I can understand that if perhaps Honolulu’s rail system were to connect to Hawaii’s 9th island, Las Vegas, perhaps some of the anti-rail opposition would disappear and a transit authority might then make sense.) Ceding such important functions of government as budgeting, appropriation of tax money, issuing government bonds and condemning private land to an unelected transit authority makes no sense for Honolulu. These powers should legitimately remain with our democratically elected representatives.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
This one comes via e-mail from Sally:
Why is it so important for the City Council to put rail on the ballot?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hey Charles, we love listening to you on the radio every week... you are the lone voice of reason on the City Council. Why did you decide to serve in public office and what motivates you to fight these big battles like transit?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
EWAsupportsDJOU:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Mr.Djou, with Judge Sakamoto’s ruling this morning on the Stop Rail Now petition to allow the rail question to be placed on the november ballot, will you still push for your charter questions in the city council?
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Aloha EWAsupportsDjou, and thank you for your log-in name.
No. I have always supported putting a question on rail on the ballot - but only one question. I and the City Council should respect the democratic process of intiative and consequently the Stop Rail Now petition. It is not necessary and would be needlessly confusing to have two similar questions on the ballot on the same subject of rail. I can only see a charter amendment question still moving forward if, for some odd reason, the City Clerk does not certify the Stop Rail Now petition.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Councilmember, Thank you for the response. yes, I am enjoying watching the Olympics. Another question to you relates to ethics, I noticed that you are a strong advocate for putting teeth into goverment ethics laws, even for Transit. Do you feel that strong ethics laws will ever take hold in Hawaii and how will it happen?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
And here’s one posted earlier from John:
Mr. Djou, Why are you so against rail transit? Every major metropolitan city has some sort or government subsidized rail system, whether be it rail, single rail or subway. Even third world countries have a rail system. If we don’t do it now, the Federal Gov. will never again help us out. This may be our last chance to raise the quality of life for many people who depend on mass transit.
******************************
Aloha John! I respect and understand that there are meritorious reasons to support rail. As I have always stated, however, I am concerned that the multi-billion dollar cost of a rail system for Honolulu it too much, the people can not afford it and we will not achieve the ridership numbers necessary to justify its enormous cost. Nevertheless, I continue to advocate putting this issue on the ballot to settle this rail debate once and for all and I will respect whatever decision the voters arrive at.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Joe:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
If your community supported mass transit would would support mass transit? And advocate for it.
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Aloha Joe! If the rail issue is put on the ballot and the people vote for rail, I will support it. As an elected official I believe I have a responsibility to carry out the will of the people in our democracy.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
This one comes via e-mail from Sally:
Why is it so important for the City Council to put rail on the ballot?
*********************
Aloha Sally! From the start of this current rail debate in 2003 I have called for a vote on rail and back then I was the only politician calling for a vote. Every once in awhile, an issue rises to such enormous importance that the government should send the question to the people and rail is such an issue. The rail debate has become so heated and divisive that I believe only a vote of the people will finally settle the matter and bring this three-decade long debate to a legitimate closure in our democracy. A direct vote will benefit both supporters and opponents of a Honolulu rail system. For rail proponents, nothing could more effectively silence naysayers and send a stronger signal to Federal funding officials about local support as an affirmative rail vote. For rail opponents, nothing can more effectively kill the rail project than a direct negative statement by Oahu voters. I have consistently argued that a rail system for Honolulu is too expensive, the people can not afford it and it will not net the ridership numbers necessary to justify the enormous financial expenditure. Nevertheless, I will respect whatever decision the voters opt for at the ballot.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
When UH Manoa is out, traffic runs smoothly. Do you think the rail route should be revised to go to UH and the airport?
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Kendra K:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hey Charles, we love listening to you on the radio every week… you are the lone voice of reason on the City Council. Why did you decide to serve in public office and what motivates you to fight these big battles like transit?
**************
Aloha Kendra! Mahalo for listening to me every Tuesday morning and your kind words. Everyday when I wake up I try to do something, no matter how small, to make our community, our country, just a little bit better place for my kids to live in. As an elected official I am fortunate that I can make a bigger difference than perhaps in other fields. I left a fairly lucrative legal practice to enter public office. For me, there is no reason for me to push for anything other than what I beleive is right. I have always felt that if I lose my office because I advocated what I though is right, the worst thing that could happen to me is that I would go back to my legal practice, get more time with my family and probably double my salary.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What do you think of the candidates running for Mayor?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Kana From China:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Councilmember, Thank you for the response. yes, I am enjoying watching the Olympics. Another question to you relates to ethics, I noticed that you are a strong advocate for putting teeth into goverment ethics laws, even for Transit. Do you feel that strong ethics laws will ever take hold in Hawaii and how will it happen?
****************
Hi Kana! An open, honest and ethical government is the basic foundation of our democracy. Honolulu government has been challenged by problems with ethics in the past. It is up to our electorate to continue to make ethics reform a priority. I will continue to push for extending civil fining authority for the ethics commission to all City workers and strengthen our conflict of interest rules. If the public doesn't have a government it trusts, the government can not acheive or do anything.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Punahou Alum:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
When UH Manoa is out, traffic runs smoothly. Do you think the rail route should be revised to go to UH and the airport?
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Aloha Punahou Alum! Yes! I voted to keep the airport in the route and keep UH. It makes no sense to drop these from the initial operating segment of our rail system.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Peter5522:
August 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What do you think of the candidates running for Mayor?
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Aloha Peter 5522! I am supportive of both Panos Prevedorous and Ann Kobayashi. Prof. Prevedorous has an enormous amount of expertise in engineering and he can fix our infrastructure issues in Honolulu. I have known Ann Kobayashi for years. While I do not always agree with her, I always respect her views. She is someone you can disagree with, without her becoming disagreeable. Ann certainly has the consensus building skills and understanding of City Hall needed to be mayor.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Sorry, folks, we’re out of time. Thanks for participating in today’s Hot Seat — a special thanks to City Councilman Charles Djou for taking the time to answer questions from our readers.
Be sure to watch for excerpts of this Hot Seat session in this Sunday’s Focus section of The Advertiser.
Our next guest will be Avi Soifer, dean of the law school at the University of Hawaii- Manoa. Avi will take your questions live Tuesday, Aug. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Lots of interesting things going on at the law school, so be sure to tune in; check this Hot Seat blog for details.
See you next week, on the Hot Seat.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Mahalo everyone and thank you so much for participating in this Hot Seat conversation. I enjoyed this hour and look forward to hearing from many of you again. Please do not ever hesitate to contact me at City Hall if you want a further explaination of any response or if I can be of any help to you. Aloha and best wishes!
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