A friend here in Honolulu told me he is going to a conference in Ohio and that his room booking states: "Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.50%)." 17.5% but in Hawaii a total of only 13.25%. So, why not RAISE the Hotel Room Tax? What exactly is the stubborn resistance to passing a hotel room tax increase that can cover rail and other costs? Such as upgrading our sewer system and other deteriorating infrastructure. Also, those resort fees should be taxed too. Much more money will come in especially with rising numbers of tourists every year, 9 million as of 2016. Furthermore, diehard rail supporters, the 6 City Council members, the mayor and other politicians as well as contractors like Kiewit can organize a GoFundMe (i.e. GoFundMyRail) with their own monies: Put their own skin in the game. Come the next round of decisions: No more bonds, no more GET, and do not raise our property taxes to pay for this rail.