HONOLULU (KHON2) — After allegations of unfair treatment were made by Lori Kahikina, the question of her future with Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation remains up in the air.
Kahikina’s contract with HART is set to end at the end of the month and the full HART board is meeting to consider whether they will extend the executive directors’ time with them or not.
She recently expressed however that she has had some issues with unfair treatment by some members of the board and added that she didn’t think it was justified due to her progress in getting federal funding for the project and getting the first segment open.
“I think I’ve proven myself the last three and a half years, not just myself but the HART ohana, what we’ve accomplished in the last three and a half years is remarkable and I’m very proud of that. I’m proud of them and proud of my team.”
Lori Kahikina HART CEO and Executive Director
The human resources committee heard testimony Friday from many in support of Kahikina and received dozens of pages of written support.
Included in her supporters was Mayor Rick Blangiardi who even called on all parties to put personal differences aside amid recent tensions.
Chairperson Colleen Hanabusa said she self-reported Kahikina’s concerns to the city’s HR department to investigate.
“If we’re gonna move forward we need a resolution, we should all know what we are faced with, and what are the parameters of behavior, I think that that’s essential, and we will hear when this investigation is over I hope,” said Hanabusa.
An approximation of the investigations timeline is not known at this time but the board will meet in two weeks.