Public Transportation and Smart Growth

on the mainland, the major obstacle to light rail is the rule that light rail tracks can't cross heavy rail tracks. That means lots of expensive elevated structures and underpasses. But on O'ahu, there is no heavy rail. Also, the metropolitan population of ~900,000 would seem to be a bit small for heavy rail, even factoring in a large number of tourists (excuse me, I mean "visitors" ).

Oh, right. The heavy rail firms put on a full-courrt lobbying press to the City Council.