The Mayor went to the Legislature repeatedly to extend the 1/2% GET.
Why didn't the Mayor request the Legislature to pass a Progressive Income Tax to pay for the Rail with a Sunset Provision when the rail is paid for?
Why did none of the Legislators or the Governor ever mention, much less propose this? 
With a 100% Democratic Senate, a 90% Democratic House and a Democratic Governor this would easily pass.
Maybe the reason is Hawaii does NOT have a Democratic majority in either chamber of the Legislator nor a Democratic Governor.
Instead we have a Liberal Republican Majority that favors the rich and business, 
While supporting gay rights/same sex marriage & immigration because they do NOT co$t anything- the Definition of a Liberal Republican.
A Democratic Legisalture would make the tax system Progressive, not the 2nd most Regressive in the US- the proof is in the pudding or the taxing in this case.
Primary the Liberal Republicans & make the Democratic Party the 1954 peoples party again.