1. Oahu Rail Transit Opinion Poll
April 2011
May I speak to someone 18 years of age or older who lives in this household?
Do you consider Oahu to be your primary residence?
“As you are probably aware, the City and County of Honolulu is moving forward
with the development of a 20-mile elevated rail transit line that will connect West
O`ahu, the Honolulu International Airport, Downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana
Center.”
Would you say you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or
strongly oppose the development of the rail transit system that I have just
described?
Why do you somewhat/strongly support the rail transit project?
Why do you somewhat/strongly oppose the rail transit project?
Which of the following three statements comes closest to how you feel about
rail transit?
1 We do not need rail transit on Oahu
2 There is a need for transit but it is too expensive
3 Rail transit is badly needed and is long overdue
4 Don’t Know
Do you feel that rail transit is a good investment in the future for Honolulu?
Would you say it is…
1 A very good investment
2 A somewhat good investment
3 A somewhat poor investment
4 A very poor investment
5 Don’t know/not sure
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2. Do you believe rail transit will make a real difference in future traffic congestion? Would you
say…
1 It will greatly reduce future traffic congestion
2 It will have some positive effect on future traffic congestion
3 It will have little or no effect on future traffic congestion
4 Don’t Know
Many people have said that the rail transit project will bring jobs to Oahu
and help to improve the economy of the island… Do you strongly
agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree that the
rail transit project will bring jobs to Oahu and help improve our economy?
I’d like to read you a short list of things some people have said will be the
benefits of the rail transit system, please tell me, as I read each one, if this will
be a very important benefit, a somewhat important benefit, a very small benefit
or no benefit at all.
1. Rail will reduce future traffic delay
2. Rail will help protect our environment by taking cars
off the road
3. Rail will allow growth and development to continue to
be directed to Leeward and Central Oahu instead of
other parts of the island so that the City can continue
to keep the country country.
4. It will provide economic stimulus such as job creation
5. It will be a convenient and reliable form of transportation
6. It will save riders money on gas, parking and vehicle
maintenance
7. Building a rail transit system will get more and more
expensive in the future so building it today just
makes sense
8. Development around transit stations will bring benefits
to the communities where they are located such as
affordable housing, commercial developments like retail
stores, bike paths and parks – creating more livable
communities
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3. “The new Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit will design, construct, operate and maintain the
rail transit system. Other major U.S. cities have established public transit authorities to plan,
build, operate and maintain their rail systems. The purpose of a rail transit authority is to
provide for an efficient process in managing all aspects of the rail project. The Honolulu
Authority for Rapid Transit will begin operations on July 1, 2011.”
Would you say you would strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly
oppose having this semi-independent transit authority oversee the rail system?
I am going to read you a list of the responsibilities of the Honolulu Transit Authority…
As I read each one, please tell me if this responsibility is very important, somewhat important,
somewhat unimportant or not important at all?
1. The authority will establish all fares, fees and charges for
the rail system
2. The authority has a single purpose and mission, to
manage the rail system.
3. As a semi-autonomous authority it will keep the politics out of
decision making.
4. Because it will concentrate only on the functions of transit,
this semi-autonomous authority will make faster decisions.
5. A semi-autonomous authority will have more continuity over
the course of time, and leadership will not be dependent
on a Mayor or Council members who leave office after
their terms expire.
6 The authority will prepare and manage its own budget
separate and apart from the city budget.
7. The authority will be able to promote, create and assist
with Transit-Oriented Development projects along the rail line
(this function was formerly with the city department of planning
and permitting).
8. The authority will be able to enter into contracts and
agreements independently, without administrative approval.
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4. How well do you feel Oahu residents have been informed about Honolulu’s
rail transit project? Would you say…
1 Very well informed
2 Somewhat informed
3 Somewhat poorly informed
4 Very poorly informed
5 Don’t Know
Which of the following statements best reflect your views on Oahu’s
traffic situation? Would you say…..
1 We have serious traffic congestion
2 We have mild traffic congestion
3 We do not have a traffic problem
4 Don’t know/Refused [DO NOT READ]
How do you see Oahu’s traffic situation over the next 10 years?
Would you say….
1 The traffic situation will improve
2 The traffic situation will worsen
3 The traffic situation will be about the same as it is now
4 Don’t know/Refused [DO NOT READ]
Do you expect to ride the rail when completed?
Do you commute to work or school during peak AM or PM hours?
(IF YES, ASK:) How do you commute? Would you say…
1 By car
2 By bus
3 Carpool
4 Walk
5 Bicycle
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5. Because sometimes people change their mind, let me ask you again…
Would you say you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose
or strongly oppose the development of the rail transit system that we have
been talking about in this survey?
The federal government has indicated that it will provide $1.5 Billion dollars for the project. Do
you believe this?
Gasoline prices have hit record levels on Oahu. Has this increase affected
the way you commute to school or work?
(IF ANSWERED YES, ASK:)
How has it changed for you?
(IF ANSWERED NO, ASK:)
What price per gallon of gas would cause you to stop driving to work or school?
From what sources do you get your information on the rail transit project?
1 Newspapers
2 Local TV news
3 Radio
4 Direct mail pieces such as newsletters & postcards
5 Internet (Website/Facebook/Twitter)
6 Word- of- mouth/ Friends and family
7 Neighborhood Board meetings
8 Community events such as expos and tradeshows
9 Council members
10 Other (specify______________________)
You said you got information about the rail transit project from___, ___ and ___,
which is the most important source of information for you?
Including yourself, how many persons live in your household?
How long have you lived in Hawaii? Would you say…
1 Less than 5 years
2 Five years but less than 10
3 Ten years but less than 20
4 20 or more years
5 All your life
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6. Do you currently own or rent your home?
Are you registered to vote in Hawaii?
What was your age on your last birthday?
What is your ethnic identification?
Finally, I will read some broad categories of income and I would
like you to tell me when I come to the category that includes your
household’s income before taxes for 2010. Please consider and
include in your thinking the income of all persons living in your
household as well as income from all sources including investments,
retirement funds, etc.
Again, just stop me when I come to the correct category.
1 Less than $25,000
2 $25,000 but less than $35,000
3 $35,000 but less than $50,000
4 $50,000 but less than $75,000
5 $75,000 but less than $100,000
6 $100,000 but less than $150,000
7 $150,000 or more
9 (DON’T KNOW/REFUSED)
Gender
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