Honolulu rail authority CEO Lori Kahikina has proposed a change to the city charter to allow the authority to manage city construction jobs in addition to the $10 billion rail project, but Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi opposes that idea.

Blangiardi said in an interview Wednesday rail construction is entering its most complex phase yet in the dense city center from Middle Street to Kakaʻako, which features high-rise buildings, utilities that must be relocated out of the way, and other challenges. “We’re not even sure yet what we’re going to hit,” he said.

“That said, we want to stay focused on that.” He added: “My position is consistent and constant. I’m not in favor of the proposed charter amendment at this time.”

The $10 billion rail project is vastly over budget and required a series of financial bailouts. Even with that help the rail line had to be shortened to reduce costs.

Construction of the Skyline system is also running more than a decade behind schedule.

Blangiardi said perception of rail has begun to change with the opening last month of the second segment of the line from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street.

“We have finally generated success for Skyline,” he said. “After two decades of it being maligned, we are changing the narrative. We’re building confidence, we’re trying to build ridership. I want a complete focus on this project, especially for the next three years and two months I have left in office.”

The idea that Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation would handle city construction projects other than rail came up at a meeting of the HART board of directors on Oct. 24 during a discussion of several possible charter changes.

When the proposal to allow HART to take on extra city work came up, Kahikina explained that “this one administration also is in full support of. They do like the flexibility, they do see how quickly HART can move, especially from a procurement perspective.”

She added some concerns have been raised that HART’s staff in the future might not be up to taking on additional projects beyond rail, but said there would be safeguards in place to ensure HART can handle that extra responsibility.

“There is that safety net that city administration has the authority to assign a project, and then ultimately it comes to the board as well, so if HART’s not in a good place, this is not a guaranteed given,” Kahikina told the board. “It’s just giving the administration the opportunity.”

The HART board unanimously approved the idea, and Kahikina submitted a proposal to the Honolulu Charter Commission on Oct. 31 that included proposed new charter language for consideration by the commission and city voters.

A ‘Misunderstanding’

Blangiardi said Wednesday he does not know where Kahikina got the idea his administration supports expanding HART’s portfolio of projects.

“I think it’s a misunderstanding because I can tell you right now, we were very clear with her in telling her we weren’t in favor of this at this time,” he said.

Kahikina declined a request for an interview, but said in a written statement Thursday that “over the next several months the Charter Commission will review proposals, hold public meetings, and ultimately select proposals for inclusion on the 2026 ballot.”

“Concurrently, HART will continue to discuss these proposals with City administration to flesh out the details,” she wrote, “including determining the best timing for implementation, should they be adopted by voters, or whether the proposals should be deferred to a more opportune time.”