HART turns rail project over to the City and County of Honolulu
The Honolulu Rail Project to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has taken control of the Honolulu rail project following construction and delivery of the project by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).
The handover marks one of the final steps before rail service is slated to begin on June 30 at 2 p.m.
“This is a landmark moment for the HART ohana,” said HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina, P.E. “All required operational and safety testing and related certifications have been completed and the system is safe and reliable. This is a huge milestone in delivering a functional rail system to the people of the City and County of Honolulu.”
The initial 10.75-mile segment will serve nine stations between East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium. The rail project’s opening is expected to be at the Hālawa rail station with an event that will feature dignitaries and entertainment.
In addition to the guideway and stations, HART also transferred to DTS 12 four-car trains and the 43-acre Rail Operations Center and Maintenance and Storage Facility. DTS is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the transferred assets.
Extensions of the rail line are planned with the Airport Extension planned to open in 2025 that will connect Aloha Stadium with four additional stations to Middle Street – Kalihi Transit Center and the City Center Extension that will open in 2031 and add six stations to Civic Center.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
