The Honolulu City Council has approved Anthony Aalto as the newest member of the board of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, in a 5-4 vote.
He will be replacing Joe Uno, who is a consultant in the field of estimating construction costs. He’s also an outspoken critic of HART’s mismanagement and cost overruns.
Chair Tommy Waters nominated Aalto to be on the HART Board of Directors.
At the City Council meeting Wednesday, Waters said, "It’s insane in my mind to keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Over the last 10 or so years, we put contractors, cost estimators, and union folks on the board, and we have gotten the same result."
"I asked Mr. Aalto to step up and serve because he is new blood. He is different," Waters said.
Previously, Aalto said he believes the rail will bring social equity to people living on the west side of Oʻahu — the rail will help them save money and cut down commuting time.
As an investigative journalist and filmmaker, Aalto made several documentaries following the history of the rail project.
Aalto’s term will expire in the summer of 2026.
Uno said he leaves the HART board, “Knowing that I did my best to ask sometimes difficult questions, to help the HART staff, to hold folks accountable, and to represent the Council.”
HART is tasked with constructing a multi-billion-dollar rail transit route from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center.
Disclosure: Joe Uno is also on the Hawaiʻi Public Radio Board of Directors.
