Polystyrene’s days numbered in Hawaii County

Following Maui County’s lead, Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim intends to sign off on a bill that aims to do away with the ubiquitous petroleum-based polystyrene takeout food container. The measure is laudable. However, there will be exceptions, such as for businesses unable to cover costs tied to switching to environmentally friendly containers. For that reason and others, Kim has rightly pointed out: “The problem is basically not just the material, it’s us as people who litter and don’t take care.”

Fines of $10 for the first violation, $50 for the second and $200 for the third will likely prod more concern.

Could construction slowdown be good for rail?

The clamor for construction in the islands is easing, according to an industry forecast just released by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO). Perhaps that’s good news for the city’s ongoing rail transit project, which is at least partially responsible for higher-than-anticipated construction cost increases and labor shortages that have slowed the industry.

A slower market could serve as leverage to bring down prices tied to remaining construction of the 20-mile, 21-station line as well as planned transit-oriented development. Dare taxpayers hope?