nope, it was not forced down the throats of the Honolulu residents.  in all mayoral elections since the rail began, the people of Honolulu voted for rail, electing mayors that favored rail ( 3 elections I believe) and rejected several anti-rail candidates, the most notable was cayetano.  even now the majority of Honolulu residents favor completing rail as planned.  just because you are anti-rail does not mean that your perspective is correct or right.  if the majority of the people vehemently dislike rail, there would be demonstrations, etc. just like those demonstrating against trump and his policies.