The Saturday May 10, 2013 Honolulu Star Advertiser (a.k.a. the Amortizer) featured the headline "WOW!" in huge bold type on the front page. Two stories were featured above the fold.
The first, and to my mind the most important, story was is the much publicised increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide above 400 parts per million. The rate of increase in CO2 content continues unabated and is confirmation of the global lack of commitment to renewable energy sources. Wow number 1.
The second story concerned the plans by the developer cabal to build a massive cluster of high rise buildings to be built in conjunction with the planned transit stops in the Kakaako region of Honolulu. The Sierra Club like the idea because it gets housing off agricultural land into high density urban areas. Well maybe. The article goes on to describe the many planned pedestrian-friendly amenities.
The Kakaako area is only slightly above sea level now, and as the CO2 article mentions, the sea level is rising. The streets of Kakaako will probably be below sea level by the time all this stuff gets built. The rail will be elevated. Will the pedestrian- friendly amenities also be elevated, like the High Line park in Manhattan? Or will Kakaako residents be issued snorkels for use when walking about? Now number 2.
Kudos to the staff of the Amortizer for so ironically juxtaposing these two news items to bring attention to the short sighted planners who bring us Honolulu's future.
Wow indeed.
