Rail

... In order to steer a consulting contract to its former Board Chair, Colleen Hanabusa, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), a federally-funded rail transit project, imposed the following narrowly tailored requirements on bidders ....

... the most expensive megaproject per capita in the world ....

“...People need to know what the options are and what the costs are, and what the real future of rail looks like....”

... Blangiardi: “I had nothing to do with that contract” ....

... Marked “Confidential (Not for Distribution),” the document contains analyses of both the original plan for the rail and 27 alternatives ....

... In a special Stadium Authority Board Meeting this morning (Thursday, May 6), the Board confirmed and voted for an early demolition of the existing stadium location ....

... The document, marked “CONFIDENTIAL (NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION),” says that stopping the rail at Middle Street could lower costs, provide long-term flexibility for route changes and fleet expansion, and benefit from future driverless technologies .... 

"... Uno said he has come to the conclusion that the rail is neither a construction project nor a transportation project. Instead, it is “a political project” — one in which all concerns about costs, waste and transparency are subordinate to political goals ...."

... “This rail service began as one of those ‘shovel ready’ projects funded by the Obama-Biden stimulus program a decade ago. While never completed, it’s still digging a deeper money pit for taxpayer dollars” ....

... Joe Uno, HART Board member, speaks in his private capacity as a citizen to host Keli‘i Akina about whether a ‘Plan C’ may help salvage the troubled project ....

... it is premature to commit funding for major new rail transit projects before we have some idea of the extent of transit ridership in the first several years after nationwide vaccinations ....

... The first WWTT Award will be presented to HART for its contract with Hitachi and the wrong sized wheels that do not fit the ‘frogs’ or rail intersections of two tracks ....

"...more support for affordable housing, climate resiliency, and safer and more efficient transportation systems...."

... Jeoffrey Cudiamat, Natalie Iwasa, J. Roger Morton, Joseph O’Donnell, and Dean Uchida ....

... Morton will be tasked with leading administration and oversight for TheBus, TheHandi-Van, and the upcoming rail system, the first segment of which is projected to open in the second half of 2021 ....

... The public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED) project concludes on Feb. 8 ....

... Kealoha was selected Chief thanks in part to Michael Miske’s ‘uncle’ ....

... “Ms. Iwasa's official engagement on the Board will ensure increased accountability and transparency at HART.” ....

... The proposal documents for the P3 procurement will soon be available for review ....

... STG has Constructed 2,708 Overhead Guideway Segments to Complete the 5.2-Mile Section from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street ....

... This RFQ includes the new Aloha Stadium complemented by a mix of developments that will connect to the rail station ....  

"...the plan being discussed will include the entire project scope ... there is no desire to abandon any component of the full Project scope...."

...Two examples of the old way of thinking, both in Honolulu....

...What are the latest developments and implications for the completion of one of the most challenged public works project in the nation?....

...we found that 12 recommendations were completed, 3 were resolved, and 3 were in process....

We are feverishly trying to spend federal dollars for the common good....

...a bus-only lane on King St thru downtown just 1 block from the existing Hotel Street Busway....

“...a potential worse case scenario of a contract award just before a leadership transition at HART and the City and County of Honolulu....”

...the Rasputin of urban planning....

...taxpayers of the City and County of Honolulu deserve to know the details of this proposed contract prior to any decision being made on it....

...Pine is urging the Federal Transit Administration to conduct in-person oversight of rail project awards of so-called public-private-partnership, or P3 contracts....

... The game teaches children several curious lessons ....

...a resolution that would have authorized up to $26 million in borrowing to help fund its over-budget and behind-schedule rail project....

...Honolulu county can't afford to borrow more for rail, Grassroot Institute says....

...Caldwell expressed worries about the uncertainty of revenue collections that are supposed to pay for the city’s $9.2 billion rail project....

...The 20-mile line is expected to cost $9.2 billion, more than the cost of the 243 miles of light-rail lines in Sacramento, Saint Louis, Salt Lake City, San Diego, and San Jose combined....

... Earlier this month, the Hawaii Republican Party’s (HRP) Chairwoman Ms. Shirlene Ostrov sent a letter to Chief Daniel Hanagami, Special Agent, Office of the State Attorney General, who is investigating Honolulu’s Light Rail Project ....

...Hawai’i central planners should reevaluate their push to implement more and more projects, such as TOD, mass transit, and shared vehicles, which contribute to the spread of disease....

...They Never Saw It Coming....

..."Framework for Hawaii's AV Future: Accessible, Automated, Connected, Electric, and Shared"....

"...This money will directly support the City’s current transit service operations, TheBus and TheHandi-Van...."

...How many people will be willing to use a mode of transportation where others breathe, sneeze and cough 2-3 feet from their face....

...As HART operations and construction continue during the pandemic, HART staff has largely moved to tele-commuting....

...Cars have been more energy efficient than transit buses since 1991....

...Railroaded: City proposes Mind-Blowing 233% increase in bus fares....

...to impose a surcharge on real property tax....

...Perhaps HART should require its P3 partner to solve the ‘last mile problem’ by installing mooring cleats for gondolas.... 

...The sales tax in Hawaii has a broad base that include many business-to-business services....

...an ineffective communications system that sometimes prevents riders from making reservations, drops calls, and does not record voicemail complaints....

...Next mayor will have mountains of problems, but a mere molehill of money to pay for them....