HART Begins City Center Guideway and Station Project

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony recently at the future site of the Ka‘ākaukukui (Civic Center) Station in Kaka‘ako to mark the start of construction on the next phase of the project, the City Center Guideway and Stations (CCGS) segment. 

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and members of his cabinet, HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Mike O’Keefe, HART board members, Honolulu City Councilmembers, members of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and Tutor Perini Corporation representatives gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking with a traditional Hawaiian blessing led by Kahu Kordell Kekoa. 

“Mahalo to all of our partners and HART staff who have worked so hard to make this project possible,” said Kahikina. “We’ve got to this point through cooperation and perseverance, and we will use that same approach to overcome the challenges that lay ahead to deliver this project within budget and on schedule, for the taxpayers of Honolulu.” 

The CCGS project includes the construction of six rail stations and approximately three miles of elevated guideway beginning near the Kahauiki (Middle Street Transit Center) Station and ending at the Ka‘ākaukukui (Civic Center) Station, which will be located just east of the intersection of Halekauwila Street and South Street. CCGS construction is expected  to be complete by 2030. 

“Today marks a major milestone in our journey toward a better connected and accessible Oʻahu,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “Breaking ground on the third segment of Skyline is not just about building the infrastructure to bring the rail system into the Downtown area; it’s about laying the foundation for the future of this island and developing sustainable transportation alternatives to serve neighboring communities.”