HCDA authorizes five-year right of entry for Honolulu rail construction through Kakaʻako remnants

The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority on Dec. 4 authorized its executive director to execute a five-year right of entry with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) to allow construction activities on portions of Kalikauwila Street, Cook Street and Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park while the Honolulu rail project proceeds.

Board Chair Sterling Higa opened discussion and Miss Lindsay Doy, asset manager, presented the staff report explaining the request: the right of entry would cover remnant road parcels that are part of ongoing rail construction scheduling and allow HART to carry out construction activities that follow prior utility-relocation and archaeological work.

The authority’s executive director, Craig Nakamoto, said his office has been trying to transfer 51 remnant road parcels in Kakaʻako Mauka to the City and County of Honolulu and tied that transfer effort to the right-of-entry request. “The commitment has become sort of less firm. And it’s something that frankly concerns me,” Nakamoto said, adding he wants a firmer commitment from city officials before signing future rights of entry but that HART needs construction access by the end of the year.

HART staff provided a project update. Dan Sudah, project director, said civil and systems work on earlier segments is nearing completion and that the contractor awarded the remaining construction contract — identified in the presentation as Tudor Perini under the CCGS package — will handle columns, guideway and station work across the downtown corridor. He said teams expect major utility relocations and drilled-shaft work to begin in the Ivele substation area and proceed east toward Haleakawila next year; the contractor was named in the presentation with an approximate contract value of $1,650,000,000.

Board members asked about sidewalk and right-of-way impacts from a design change that shifts columns from the middle of the street to straddle-column supports on either side of the street. Bob Stellmacher, senior acquisition agent for the project, said the project will take some private-property areas but aims to avoid changing most existing public right of way; some sidewalks may need modest adjustment to maintain ADA widths.

There was no public testimony on the item. Member Streitz moved to authorize the executive director to execute the five-year right of entry; Member Evans seconded. The roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes and one excused member (Anderson); the motion passed.

The authorization allows the executive director to sign the right of entry in accordance with the terms described in the staff report. The staff report and discussion also noted ongoing negotiations with the city on transferring the 51 remnant parcels, which HCDA staff said could eliminate the need for future easements once the transfer is complete.