Honolulu receives FTA funds, 20th train for new rail system

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has received the $125 million in federal funding for the Honolulu "Skyline" light-rail project from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that completes an amended full funding grant agreement (FFGA) that was executed Feb. 1.

This is the first federal funding under the FFGA that HART has received for its transit-rail project since 2017, HART officials said in a news release.

"These funds are necessary for us to complete the project and will help us achieve our construction milestones as we work through the critical path of the project," said HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina.

The original FFGA — which was signed in 2012 — provided a grant of $1.55 billion for the project. HART had previously received about $806 million of the amount.

The amended FFGA reaffirmed the FTA’s commitment to the remaining $744 million and prescribed milestones for when the federal funding will be available to the project, HART officials said. The recent execution of the amended FFGA was the first milestone and triggered the release of the $125 million.

On June 30, 2023, the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services launched the first phase of transit-rail operations on an 11-mile stretch between East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium stations. The department is operating the line, assuming control from HART, which oversees construction of the transit-rail project.

Meanwhile, late last week HART also announced the arrival of its 20th and final train. The four-car automated and driverless train was transported in three shipments from the Honolulu Harbor to the Rail Operations Center (ROC).

"The delivery of the 20th train to Honolulu is another major milestone. This is the final train to arrive, which means that the vehicle fleet of the system is now complete," said Kahikina.

The final train's arrival completes the 20 four-car trains that will be needed when the service opens to the downtown area. Of the 19 trains that are already on island, 12 are fully commissioned and have been handed over to the City’s Department of Transportation Services.

After it arrives at the ROC, the train will be coupled and will undergo safety testing and certification.