Public’s biggest concerns aren’t what they used to be

If you live in Central Oahu or Leeward Oahu, I know what you talk about when you finally arrive at work: traffic.

It takes nearly a half-hour to calm down after the morning and afternoon horror show that is the H-1. The stories of traffic jam atrocities range from "It was so bad I had let the kids get out of the car so they could relieve themselves," to "I leave at 4:30 so I can take the kids to my mom’s house and then she takes them to school."

So today’s new Hawaii Poll taken by Ward Research for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii News Now tells you what you already know: Traffic is a mess.

The unusual part is that the top public concerns are routinely the Three E’s: Economy, Education and Environment.

The poll shows that the top issue is rail, and then traffic, with the Three E’s trailing in community concerns.

Note that the traffic pain is not spread equally.

Those surveyed in Central and Leeward areas say rail and traffic top their concerns. Those in Hawaii Kai and Kailua, not so much.

The poll question was open-ended, giving those surveyed the chance to say whatever bothered them.

Across Oahu, 19 percent said rail was the top issue and another 17 percent said traffic was tops.

Those most worried about traffic are the folks in Ewa, where 41 percent say traffic is their first concern.

The highest rail numbers are in Central, Pearl City and Leeward areas.

Pollster Rebecca Ward said it is unusual for rail or traffic to top Honolulu’s historic concerns of jobs, schools and the environment.

"I think it means that rail is top of mind," Ward said. "People are driving through or sitting in traffic in rail construction zones and hearing about the budget overruns."

The political benefits of loving or hating rail are tough to figure out. Among registered voters surveyed, more Democrats and Independents say rail is their big issue. And the poll shows that the older and richer you are, the more likely you are to think rail is the leading issue.

The question is, it a good issue or a bad issue?

"Rail is not an issue we can stay away from," says Ewa Beach Democrat, state Sen. Will Espero.

Predicting that legislative support for future funding for rail will be the "most contentious issue of this legislative session," Espero adds that in past elections where rail was an issue, the margin of victory was slim.

"Debates and elections where rail is issues have been very close," Espero said in an interview.

So far construction of the rail line has been lumbering through the sparsely populated Leeward areas. The first big construction traffic tie-up will be when the train tracks go over the H-1 and H-2 interchange.

That construction, however, will be nothing compared to the slowdowns to be faced as construction lumbers past Aloha Stadium and on to Dillingham Boulevard.

If rail is still alive by then, it will turn onto Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana.

By that time, rail will be top of mind for almost everyone living on Oahu.

With one of the major arteries into Honolulu blocked, it is no guarantee any voters will be having kind thoughts about the people responsible for the train.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.