Honolulu Rail Authority Approved for Skyline Extension Planning, But Lacks Funding

HART has City Council's blessing to explore expanding rail route, but no money to do the work yet.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:05am

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The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has received approval from the City Council to start preliminary engineering plans for expanding the Skyline rail route, but the agency's top executive says they don't have the funding to actually do the planning work at this time. HART must go before the Council each year for its budget, and the agency is being cautious about spending any extra funds until it's sure existing costs are covered.

Why it matters

The proposed Skyline rail extensions would significantly expand Honolulu's public transit system, connecting more neighborhoods and the University of Hawaii. However, the lack of funding for the planning work means the extensions could be delayed, leaving some areas without improved transit access. This highlights the ongoing challenges HART faces in securing sufficient funding for the rail project.

The details

On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council adopted Bill 60, which allows HART to start looking at possible extensions of the Skyline rail route. The extensions would go east to the University of Hawaii at Manoa and farther west on the Leeward Coast from the current starting point in East Kapolei. However, HART Executive Director Lori Kahikina said the agency does not have the funding to actually do the planning work for these extensions at this time. HART must go before the Council each year for its budget, and Kahikina said she is being cautious about spending any extra funds until she is sure existing costs are covered.

  • On Wednesday, the City Council adopted Bill 60 to allow HART to start planning for Skyline rail extensions.
  • HART's proposed operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027 will total nearly $1.07 billion, a 10.4% increase over the current budget.

The players

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)

The agency responsible for overseeing the development and operation of Honolulu's rail transit system.

Lori Kahikina

The Executive Director and CEO of HART.

Roger Morton

HART board member and the city's Department of Transportation Services director who oversees Skyline's train operations.

Augie Tulba

A Honolulu City Council member who voted against Bill 60, citing concerns over funding and oversight.

Radiant Cordero

A Honolulu City Council member who co-sponsored Bill 60.

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What they’re saying

“If we do get additional funding to start looking farther west or farther to University of Hawaii, we don't work in a vacuum. We have to start looking at possible routes, but again, at this point, there is no additional funding to do that work.”

— Lori Kahikina, Executive Director and CEO, HART

“I understand that our budget is very, very tight, but are you saying that you don't have the authority to use existing funding for any type of studies or that you don't have the money within the budget to do them?”

— Roger Morton, HART Board Member, Department of Transportation Services Director

“We are talking about a lot of taxpayer money … paid for by our residents and small businesses. With that level of public investment I believe it's important for this body to review each phase carefully, and provide opportunities for community input.”

— Augie Tulba, Honolulu City Council Member

What’s next

HART plans to complete the third phase of the Skyline rail project by 2030. The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization is also working on a transit analysis for West Oahu that could inform future Skyline extension plans.

The takeaway

While HART has the approval to plan Skyline rail extensions, the lack of dedicated funding means these important expansions could face delays. This highlights the ongoing financial challenges the agency must navigate to deliver Honolulu's ambitious public transit vision.