Lori Kahikina

There is no way to sugarcoat the next phase of construction on the Honolulu rail. It's going to be miserable. It involves moving power, sewer, water and gas lines. The Conversation met with Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation CEO Lori Kahikina at the Middle Street transit center to talk about what’s to come.

The agency that oversees the city’s rail project says it has fixed a problem with its train tracks. That solution should open the way for the next phase of testing the system. HPR’s Scott Kim has more.

Officials from the Federal Transit Administration are in Honolulu this week to do some risk analysis for the latest version of the city’s rail project. Separately, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation CEO Lori Kahikina told HPR that a team of specialized welders is also in town, working on the problems with the tracks and wheels of the system.

The Conversation talks to HART Executive Director Lori Kahikina to learn more about the rail funding proposal to pause two stops short of Ala Moana Shopping Center.

A new law will charge a 3% tax to tourists who book a hotel or short-term vacation rental on Oʻahu. Portions of the tax revenue will fund the Honolulu rail, the city's general fund, and a special fund to mitigate tourism impacts on natural resources.

The head of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation says next summer is the earliest the rail system could begin partial operations. Lori Kahikina told HPR's The Conversation the interim service would initially run from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium.

The Conversation talked to Lori Kahikina, interim executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, to get a handle on the new timeline for meeting with Federal Transit Administration officials to present its new recovery plan.

Repairs to the rail project's 'frogs' could take up to two years to complete by one estimate. But HART CEO Lori Kahikina says they are still looking for a contractor to go with another 'quicker fix' option.

The Honolulu rail project, planned to stretch from Kapolei to Ala Moana, is moving toward the critical final leg through Honolulu's urban core. Lori Kahikina, an engineer by training, was hired six months ago to take over from Andrew Robbins as head of the project. Six months into her position as interim Executive Director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Kahikina shared the latest developments about the Honolulu rail.

HONOLULU -- Hawai‘i's largest labor union has filed a grievance over recent layoffs by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, which is building…