HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new chapter is underway for Honolulu’s Skyline rail system. The city held a blessing ceremony today for the second segment of the line that officially opens tomorrow.
This second segment of Skyline, stretching from Halawa to the Kalihi Transit Center, is the segment of rail bringing high hopes and expectations.
Today’s ceremony, which included state and city leaders, contractors and former Honolulu Mayors, celebrated an overarching theme of progress. The 5.2-mile extension, adding four new stops including the airport and Pearl Harbor, and expanded operating hours, is anticipated to boost ridership significantly.
“I put a stake in the ground. I said a minimum of 25,000 riders a day over the course of the next year and that’s no small challenge. But I’m confident we can get there and we will get there,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.
“Seven days a week, 365 days a year. From 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. There’s been nothing like that on this island. Ever. That’s why this is historic,” said Blangiardi.
“With the extension, that vision becomes real. Skyline now connects directly with TheBus, HandiVan and our future mobility options like Bike Share, car share and micro mobility,” said Roger Morton, Department of Transportation Services Director. “This finally brings Skyline to places filled with activity, people and job, making the system more relevant, more useful and more connected than ever before.”
More than just a train, supporters are calling Skyline a connection to jobs, education and opportunities. and those who have been there from the very beginning say all of the challenges so far have been worth it.
“Every single heartache, every criticism that came our way. It was worth it, because what you’re seeing today is a manifestation of why this was so important,” said former Honolulu Mufi Hannemann. “This is what the vision was when we first started to talk about this with Senator Inouye and the congressional delegation back in the day when I was mayor. So I’m very happy. I couldn’t be more pleased to see what I’m seeing.”
Hannemann is credited with spearheading the rail project’s inception, while former Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell managed the project during a period of ballooning costs and federal issues.
“A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the project, a lot of people contributed. It’s a big dream, and big dreams are worth fighting for,” said Caldwell. “So it’s just great to see it actually a reality now, and particularly getting to the airport.”
Construction on segment three is underway, and while the project is years behind schedule and the total cost has grown to more than $10 billion over budget, at least for today, it’s a celebration of a milestone reached, and a transportation future that’s in the making.