HART turns rail project over to the City and County of Honolulu

June 12, 2023

The rail system will debut on June 30 with service along a 10.75-mile segment.

An aerial view of the Kualakai - East Kapolei station, one of nine new rail stations that were built as part of the Honolulu rail project.

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.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. 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 serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.