All those who are around me are the bridge to my success, so they are all important. - Manny Pacquiao Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. - Edward Everett Hale There is nothing impossible to him who will try. - Alexander the Great

1. THE HONOLULU RAIL
SHIFTING SANDS
BLAME THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
CYCLONIC APOCALYPSE IMMINENT
SAVING THE BURNING BRIDGE
FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUES NEW ULTIMATUMS ON HONOLULU RAIL
By Marcel Honore. Honolulu Civil Beat
September 21, 2018, accessed September 22, 2018
https://www.civilbeat.org/2018/09/federal-agency-issues-new-ultimatums-on-honolulu-rail/
Honolulu rail's federal partners are officially losing patience with the city and
the local agency overseeing the financially challenged transit project.
In a Friday letter, the Federal Transit Administration set a deadline for the
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to update its recovery plan —
the road map to rescue the project financially — so that it reflects the FTA's
new, higher cost estimate for rail.
The FTA's estimate puts rail's price tag at $8.3 billion – a full $134 million
more than the city's budget estimate. HART now needs to find that
additional money in the next 60 days.
The letter also asks that HART and the city decide in the next 30 days
whether it will use a public-private partnership to complete rail's final and
most challenging stretch into town. It further demands that the city commit
its first $44 million contribution to rail, as outlined in the 2017 recovery
plan, sometime in the next 60 days.
If HART and the city miss those deadlines, the FTA “may proceed with the
remedies set forth”in its 2012 full funding grant agreement, the letter
stated. That deal provided $1.55 billion in federal funds for the rail project.
Under the agreement, if the city is in default, the FTA could demand its
money back.

2. SHIFTING SANDS
BLAME THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
Our relationship with these agencies have become extremely
adversarial. Our relationship with previous Administrations has been
cordial and more of a working partnership. It is disappointing that we
are in this situation and I was looking forward to working with the FTA
on finding a common ground.
Ernie Martin, Chair, Honolulu City Council
The Trump administration is a different administration and is not real
friendly to the project.
Nelson Koyanagi, City Finance and Budget Director
It's troubling. It's concerning.
Kirk Caldwell, Mayor, Honolulu City & County
___________________________________________________________
DONALD TRUMP'S ART OF THE DEAL1
1. Think big
I like thinking big. I always have. To me it's very simple: if you're going to be thinking
anyway, you might as well think big.
2. Protect the downside and the upside will take care of itself
I always go into the deal anticipating the worst. If you plan for the worst--if you can live
with the worst--the good will always take care of itself.
111 Winning Negotiation Tactics From Donald Trump's 'The Art of the Deal' By Peter Economy. Inc.
May 7, 2016, accessed September 22, 2018 https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/11-winning-negotiation-
tactics-from-trump-s-art-of-the-deal.html

3. 3. Maximize the options
I never get too attached to one deal or one approach … I keep a lot of balls in the air,
because most deals fall out, no matter how promising they seem at first.
4. Know your market
I like to think that I have that instinct. That's why I don't hire a lot of number-
crunchers, and I don't trust fancy marketing surveys. I do my own surveys and draw
my own conclusions.
5. Use your leverage
The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That
makes the other guy smell blood, and then you're dead.
6. Enhance your location
Perhaps the most misunderstood concept in all of real estate is that the key to
success is location, location, location … First of all, you don't necessarily need the best
location. What you need is the best deal.”
7. Get the word out
One thing I've learned about the press is that they're always hungry for a good story,
and the more sensational the better … The point is that if you are a little different, a
little outrageous, or if you do things that are bold or controversial, the press is going
to write about you.
8. Fight back
In most cases I'm very easy to get along with. I'm very good to people who are
good to me. But when people treat me badly or unfairly or try to take
advantage of me, my general attitude, all my life, has been to fight back very
hard.” {Emphasis Supplied]
9. Deliver the goods
You can't con people, at least not for long. You can create excitement, you can
do wonderful promotion and get all kinds of press, and you can throw in a little
hyperbole. But if you don't deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on.
{Emphasis Supplied]
10. Contain the costs
I believe in spending what you have to. But I also believe in not spending more
than you should. {Emphasis Supplied]

4. 11. Have fun
Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real
excitement is in the game.
___________________________________________________________
CYCLONIC APOCALYPSE IMMINENT
SAVING THE BURNING BRIDGE
LEADERSHIP IN MOTION
I.
I'm not gonna try to defend, or undo what's been done.
All I could say about whatever's been done, it's been done,
and it's water under the bridge.
I have no regrets of my life.
Ike Turner
II.
Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists
between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.
Earl Nightingale
III.
I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep;
I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.
Alexander the Great