Market Trends Pacific and Strategic Communication Solutions conducted an independent survey to evaluate local residents’ awareness and perception of issues related to the rail project. A total of 405 surveys of adult residents were conducted online in July 2019.
While many are frustrated with the rail, the majority believe it is a done deal and there is nothing they can do about it. This was confirmed in the 2019 market research conducted by Market Trends Pacific:
While many are frustrated with the rail, the majority believe it is a done deal and there is nothing they can do about it. This was confirmed in the 2019 market research conducted by Market Trends Pacific:
- Only 27% of those surveyed agreed or strongly agree with the statement that they support the rail construction so far, while nearly half—47%—disagree or strongly disagree with that statement.
- Only 11% agreed or strongly agreed that their voice was heard on issues involving rail, and only 21% agree or strongly agree they can still make a difference.
- Almost half of the survey respondents—47%—feel that the time to discuss rail has already passed, and 39% are not aware that rerouting the rail is an option.
- When the University of Hawaii is mentioned as a potential endpoint, 37% of those surveyed found this to be a favorable option, far exceeding those in favor of Ala Moana Center at 15% or Middle Street at 6%.
Respondent Profile
Issue Impact: Awareness
Perspectives and Agreement
Last Station Options
Last station ratings (0 = worst; 10 = best)
Overall, UH had the highest mean support; Middle Street, the lowest.
Overall, UH had the highest mean support; Middle Street, the lowest.
Last Stop Comments: UH
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Our Conclusions
The survey was done to evaluate local residents’ awareness and perception of issues related to the rail project. From the results two main conclusions can be drawn:
- (from Page 5) The issue that Honolulu residents are most concerned about (71%) is the cost of living. With 84% of the cost of rail borne by local taxpayers, it is important that costs for the final 4.2-mile leg of the project are contained and controlled as much as possible. Rerouting the rail inland in the city center will address this concern not only by avoiding difficult soil conditions and existing crowded neighborhoods, but by going through low-rise parts of the city center that could be developed as part of a PPP (Public Private Partnership). The more developable neighborhoods that are located along the route, the lower the price of rail construction will be to the public.
- (from Page 9) In order to gauge public opinion on a topic, surveyors often look to the extremes of opinion, such as those who “strongly favor” or those who “do not favor” an idea, to get a sense of public sentiment. When asked which of 3 stations (Middle Street, Ala Moana Center and UH) was preferable for the last station for rail, residents showed a marked difference in terms of what they “strongly favor”. While only 15% of residents strongly favored Ala Moana Center as a last station, 37% of residents said they strongly favor the University of Hawaii, meaning 2 ½ times as many residents preferred UH over Ala Moana. This reflects the long-standing public perception that rail service to UH is crucial to solving Honolulu’s traffic problem.