Jan Becket decries urban planning in Honolulu but fails to recognize that there has been public discussion about rail for over 30 years before construction even got started. Rail is also on the state long-term General plan. I think it's been there for over 20 years. 

We've even had several ballot issues related to rail. 

But the basic issue is that not enough people vote in this state. So it's difficult to arrive at a consensus on public issues. There is not enough choice in our elections.

We should try to focus on the problem of poor voter turnout. Publicly financed elections will have more candidates and hence more public interest in voting.