It all started when I was born in the late summer of 2001. While laying by my mother's side in the maternity ward, I overheard my nurses talking about some guy named "Mufi Hannemann" who wanted to build a train, and ever since then I knew what my destiny would be. After checking out from the hospital, I graduated from Moanalua High School and got an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Kapiʻolani Community College. From there, I could've transferred up to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, but that felt too close to home. I wanted to spread my wings and explore a new and unfamiliar environment, but still take advantage of UH's auto-enrollment system. Plus, between UH's three university-level campuses, only ONE of them has a train station. The choice was clear. And so, I've been proudly attending the University of Hawaiʻi-West Oʻahu ever since. Hi, Iʻm Wyatt Coke. I find it much easier to critique art that is made by others than to create real art myself. Therefore, if I were an artist's tool, I'd probably be like a spell checking software or some kind of autocorrect I guess. Similar vibe. Plus, I'm good at the grammar and speling stuf [sic].
The island of Oahu recently opened the first phase of their newest public transportation project: a light rail system called the Honolulu Skyline. Skyline has been decades in the making, facing numerous challenges from lawmakers, contractors, and management. Now that Skyline has finally begun public operation, this paper forecasts some of the ways in which Skyline might affect the communities on Oahu that it serves. Based on data collected from other light rail systems in the United States, Skyline has the potential to benefit Oahu’s jobs market, property appreciation, and personal health; while decreasing air pollutants and, to a lesser extent, road traffic. However, these effects may be mitigated by certain factors such as low ridership, rail construction that is overly disruptive for surrounding communities, and a failure to adequately connect riders to high-demand destinations.
The concept of creativity has come a long way. The Old Greeks would call those creative forces muses, other religions referred to them as God. Today people still mostly treat creativity as an aha moment outside the area of influence. However, just by looking at the creative process one can tell, that creativity and creative work is more than just that one "Aha-Moment" (insight). It is clear that generating ideas demands planning and preparation, identifying something of interest like a problem, an opportunity or a challenge, doing research. This then leads to thinking of a solution, allowing time to incubate and iterations before arriving at something “complete.” Students learn that hard work is what makes their ideas come to life and sticktuiveness is what helps them get better.
"Sunrise on the Skyline" is a captivating web series that takes viewers on an immersive journey through the development of Hawaii’s rail system and its profound impact on the islands. Created by Wyatt as part of their senior capstone project, this series sheds light on the rail’s role in shaping Hawaii’s future while honoring its unique cultural and community roots.
Through stunning visuals, personal stories, and a critical lens on the challenges and triumphs of the project, "Sunrise on the Skyline" offers a fresh perspective on how this ambitious transportation endeavor intertwines with the spirit of the islands. Witness the dawn of a new era and explore what it truly means for Hawaii to rise with the rail. Check out his ride! https://www.youtube.com/@sunriseontheskyline