Honolulu’s Skyline Phase 1 NOW OPEN

After more than 50 years of deliberation on the question to alleviate automobile traffic. Efficient passenger rail has finally made its way back to Honolulu after funding was approved for a mass passenger rail line in 2005. The new Skyline, which opened on June 30th, 2023, routes 9 stations that links Kualaka’i in the West with Hālawa in the East. The almost 11 miles of rail is operated by Italian company, Hitachi Rail with their driverless metro cars gliding on the 4ft 8.5in track gauge. The double tracked line has plans for future development; 

Phase 2:  5.3 mile Hālawa-Kahauiki Segment (scheduled opening Summer 2025)

Phase 3: 3.3 mile Kahauiki-Ka’ākaukukui Segment (scheduled opening 2031) 

Ala Moana Extension: 0.8 mile Ka’ākaukukui-Kālia (scheduled opening TBA) 

Most notably, the second phase will include a station at Honolulu International Airport. Of course, delays and cost overruns threatened in project. Specifically, the line was originally scheduled to begin construction in December 2009, but was halted in the review process obtaining federal approval of the environment impact statement. Furthermore, like most major infrastructure work in Hawaiʻi, construction of the rail line is likely to uncover historic human remains, notably in its downtown Honolulu section. The Oʻahu Island Burial Council (part of the State Historic Preservation Division, within the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources) refused to sign a programmatic agreement on October 21, 2009, over concerns about likely burial sites located along the line's proposed route over Halekauwila Street in Kakaʻako.The state Department of Land and Natural Resources later signed the city's programmatic agreement on January 15, 2011, over the continuing concerns of the Burial Council. Most of these concerns have been quelled since in the plans of making most of the line an above grade fixed guideway have been made.

In my opinion, this is a huge step for Hawaii to finally rid its most populous island of their god awful “interstate” system. Why is it that we have Texas sized interchanges in one of the most beautiful natural environments in the world? Why do we have a standardized system of encroaching on the natural environment in the place where space is at a premium? Why are there stroads as far north on the island as Hilo on the big island? Food for thought.