Episode 13: Rail Full Steam Ahead
On this episode of the One O’ahu Podcast, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and host Brandi Higa discuss issues that have come up in his most recent Town Hall meetings, the recent Ala Wai Flood Risk Management community forum, plans for Aloha Stadium, and our quickly approaching opening day for O’ahu’s Rail System.
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Haʻikū Stairs
Before his most recent Town Hall meeting at Ben Parker Elementary School, Mayor Blangiardi met with residents at the base of the Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven. At last week’s meeting, Brian Gallagher, deputy director for the Department of Design and Construction, reported where the City is in the process of accepting proposals for the removal of the Stairs.
“We told everybody that we would keep an open mind,” replied Mayor Blangiardi. “But that said, our decision to take down the stairs as of today still holds.”
Ala Wai Flood Risk Management
The most recent Ala Wai Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Study community forum happened on April 24, 2023. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published its Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
“Look at what’s on national television right now,” added Mayor Blangiardi. He went on to say, “You can’t leave it alone and say, let nature take care of it. Which I’ve heard people say. And I would tell you that’s just flirting with disaster.”
Rail Opening Nears
In less than two months, Oahu’s Rail System will be up and running. That interim opening of the rail line has been delayed time and again over the years as the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transpiration (HART) worked through construction problems and cost overruns. But the Mayor remains confident in his July deadline to get the train operational.
“Clock’s ticking,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “I feel very confident we are going to make that deadline. Very confident. I think we’ll be making an announcement that I hope will even be surprising to a lot of people very shortly.”
HART will now hand over an 11-mile segment from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium for the City’s Department of Transportation Services to operate.
