The city is set to take control of the first segment of Honolulu’s rail system on Friday. Honolulu transportation officials hosted a couple dozen members of the disabled community last week to get feedback about accessibility on the train and its stations.
For those with disabilities, the rail will offer an alternative to TheHandi-Van or TheBus. Dean Georgiev, who is blind, said it was helpful to tour one of the stations.
"I thought, for the most part, it's a good experience. I did notice a couple of things that maybe in time could be improved. But that's typical of anything done initially," he said.
Georgiev said the height of the Braille on the HOLO fare card machines was a bit low for him to reach comfortably.
"Maybe in future evolutions of those machines, the way the labeling would work, the machines could be designed better for people to more universally access the Braille," Georgiev told HPR. "But from what I saw today, I gave them pretty good grades as far as being considerate about what is necessary."
The rail system features doors that reopen if they detect body parts and accessible seating signage visible from the platforms.
"There's been a lot of thoughtfulness that's been put into the design and implementation of the system. So we've used all of the industry best standards, and of course, in compliance with all laws and regulations," said Patrick Preusser, director of rapid transit at the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services.
Interim passenger operations are scheduled to begin June 30 between the Kualakaʻi Station in East Kapolei and the Hālawa Station near Aloha Stadium.
"We would certainly encourage everybody and their family members to come out and ride firsthand. It's a beautiful system. The community has a lot to be proud of," Preusser added.
Waikīkī resident Kirby Shaw, who uses a wheelchair, may have to wait several years to use the train in the urban core but was curious to learn firsthand about maneuvering on the rail system.
"I think after a few uses, people will figure out what works best for them," Shaw said.
The rail project will welcome riders at the end of the month with free rides through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Passengers must tap a HOLO card to ride for free. The trains are slated to run every 10 minutes on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on weekends between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Mayor Rick Blangiardi will sign papers Friday to formally accept the first 11 miles of the system from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation.
Meanwhile, HART is still working to bring the rail to its final stop in Kakaʻako. The next segment from Hālawa to Middle Street is slated to open in 2025. The final segment from Middle Street to Kakaʻako is expected to open around 2031.
This interview aired on The Conversation on June 5, 2023. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1. This segment was adapted for the web by Sophia McCullough
