City Council Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Technology Meeting - September 24, 2025
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City Council Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Technology Meeting - September 24, 2025
The Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Technology met on September 24, 2025, at 9:02 a.m. via remote and in-person interactive conference technology. Chair Cordero presided with members Dosantos Tam, Wire, Okimoto, and Tupola (joining later). The meeting covered land conveyances, bills on HART planning, fare box recovery ratio repeal, library vending machines at Skyline stations, taxi regulations, and informational briefings on bus/rail integration and Biki bike share operations. Public testimony was heard on multiple agenda items.
Consent Calendar
- Communication D671 2025: Approved the deed conveying roadway lot 53 and grants of flowage easements 10 and 11 for public use in Eva. Unanimous without discussion.
- Communication D698 2025: Approved the deed conveying roadway lots 19886 and 19887, grant of flowage easement 11180, and temporary road turnaround easements 11178 and 11179 for public use in Eva. Unanimous without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Bill 60 (HART planning expansion):
- Donald Sakamoto (President, Citizens for Affirmative Action on Disability) advocated for including people with disabilities in rail planning studies, citing accessibility concerns at Dillingham Boulevard. He urged dialogue on Section 2.2 of the bill.
- Jacob Winsack (transit rider) testified in strong support, stating that "prior preparation prevents poor performance" and that Bill 60 would help avoid past delays and cost overruns.
- Mark Anthony Clemente (Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters) supported, citing a 2024 Hawaii Perspectives poll showing 74% of Oahu residents support rail expansion to Ala Moana and 77% support to UH Manoa.
- Andrew Pereira (Director of Public Affairs, Pacific Resource Partnership) supported, arguing the bill is a "common sense solution" and that incomplete rail (like a half-built H3) is unusable.
- On Resolution 25-262 (fare box recovery ratio repeal):
- Ross Isukane supported repeal, stating public transportation should be heavily subsidized and that the fare box ratio is a "misguided concept" compared to road subsidies.
- Donald Sakamoto recommended leaving the policy as is until the next rail segment opens, noting the impact of COVID on ridership.
- On Informational Briefing (bus/rail integration):
- Michael De Leon opposed elimination of Route 20, arguing it would disrupt elderly and disabled riders in Chinatown.
- Ross Isukane opposed, stating the new W line (via Nimitz) is not a replacement for Route 20 (via Beretania) and serves tourism over locals.
- Luka Cuniberti (North Shore resident, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council) supported rail but expressed frustration that no reasonable connections from North Shore to Skyline are included in the route changes.
- On Resolution 25-263 (library vending machines):
- Donald Sakamoto supported the pilot program but requested audible books for blind individuals.
- On Bill 42 (taxi cabs):
- Ryan Naka (taxi industry representative) supported, stating the bill restores fairness and allows the taxi industry to thrive.
Discussion Items
- Bill 52 2025 (Maintenance of trees and bodies of water): Chair Cordero noted it was the second committee hearing. No testimony or discussion; director absent. The bill was reported out for third reading unanimously. Councilmember Dosantos Tam referred to it as his "nerdy bill."
- Bill 60 2025 (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation): Introduced by Councilmember Dosantos Tam and co-introduced by Chair Cordero. The bill directs HART to plan for extensions beyond current statutory limits (Ala Moana and West Kapolei). A CD1 (OCS 2025-0749) was posted removing geographic specificity. HART Executive Director Dori Kahikina requested deferral because the HART Board had not discussed it; the next board meeting to consider the bill is October 24, 2025. Despite the request, the committee voted to amend to CD1 and report out for second reading and public hearing. Councilmember Wire asked DTS Director Roger Morton about ADA considerations at rail stations and restroom access policies ("urgent need" policy; restrooms at Kalihi Transit Center and airport).
- Resolution 25-262 (Repeal of fare box recovery ratio policy): Councilmember Dosantos Tam explained the policy (25-30% goal) has not been met since 2016 and is non-binding. DTS Director Morton agreed, noting rising costs and post-COVID ridership decline. He said if enforced, it would force cuts to unproductive routes or fare increases. The resolution was referred to the Budget Committee for further consideration.
- Resolution 25-263 (Library vending machine pilot at Skyline stations): Co-introduced by Councilmember Tupola and Chair Cordero. State Librarian representative Malory Fujitani expressed support for an 18-month pilot. No opposition. Adopted unanimously.
- Bill 42 2025 (Taxicab regulations): Councilmember Tupola presented a CD1 with amendments agreed with CSD: removal of digital dispatch definitions, revision of fare charges (permitted when hired, not just occupied), exemption of CSD fare charges for taxicab drivers, and removal of baggage charges reference for jitneys. Director Hashiro of CSD submitted a late recommendation (DC 731) adding a five-year sunset with DCS evaluation. The committee verbally amended to include that sunset. Bill 42 as amended was reported out for second reading and public hearing.
- Informational Briefing: Bus operations and rail integration (DTS): Deputy Director John Noichi presented changes accompanying the October 2025 opening of Skyline Segment 2 (four new stations to Kalihi Transit Center). Key changes: extended Skyline hours (4 a.m.–10:30 p.m. daily); new rapid bus lines: A Line (Ahua Lagoon to UH Manoa), U Line (Ahua Lagoon express to UH Manoa and East Honolulu), W Line (airport to Waikiki via Nimitz, reducing stops from ~50 to 15). Route adjustments included Route 51 linking Central Oahu to Waiawa Skyline station, Route 331 for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and frequency reductions on Route 46. Testimony raised concerns about elimination of Route 20 and lack of North Shore connections. Dep. Director Noichi noted workforce constraints but committed to quality service improvements. The committee discussed outreach, queue management at Lagoon Drive, and future North Shore connectivity.
- Update on Biki bike share operations (DTS): Director Morton reported Biki has over 1,200 bikes, 132 stations, 5+ million rides since 2017, but faces financial challenges with negative margins. The city is stepping in with $800,000/year for integration with HOLO card (free 15-minute rides for monthly transit pass holders) and a federal fleet refurbishment program. The city owns about one-third of the fleet. Vandalism by one individual has caused significant damage. Councilmember Dosantos Tam asked about taking over the entire fleet; Morton said it could be explored. Concerns about federal funding for bike programs were noted. The committee discussed public-private partnerships and governance.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Communication D671 and D698 (land conveyances) unanimously.
- Reported out Bill 52 2025 for third reading.
- Amended and reported out Bill 60 2025 (CD1) for second reading and public hearing.
- Referred Resolution 25-262 to the Budget Committee.
- Adopted Resolution 25-263.
- Amended and reported out Bill 42 2025 (CD1 as further verbally amended) for second reading and public hearing.
- Noted the informational briefings; no formal action taken.
- Next steps: HART to discuss Bill 60 at its October 24, 2025 board meeting; public hearing to be scheduled. DTS to continue integration of Biki with HOLO card by early 2027 and refurbish fleet by FY 2027.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning with the committee on infrastructure, transportation, and technology. Please come to order. It is Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 9 02 a.m. I would like to welcome uh committee members dosantos TAM and WIRE. Uh we have Committee Vice Chair Okimoto and Tipola on their way. Okay, pursuant to Section 92-3.7. The available revised statutes, this meeting will be conducted as a remote meeting by interactive conference technology with the following procedures in effect for the meeting. Members of the public will be allowed to provide oral testimony on all items on the agenda through two ways. Remotely and in-person in the council chamber. Remote and in-person oral testimony will be allowed when agenda item is taken up. As both English and Hawaiian are official language languages of the state of Hawaii pursuant to the article to article 15, section four of the Hawaii State Constitution and Section I Section 113 of the Hawaii revised statutes. Members of the public may testify in either language. For oral testimonies offered in Olalo Hawaii, additional time as may be necessary will be allowed for the testifier to provide an English translation of their testimony. Each speaker may not have anyone else read their statement, and it is limited to a one and is limited to a one-minute presentation on each item. One minute. Okay, thank you. Moving to agenda item number one, we have communication D671 2025 from the Department of Design Construction. It is a request for consideration of the deed conveying roadway lot 53 and grants of flowage easement 10 and flow each easement 11 for the for public use in Eva. With us from the city administration, we have Aaron Sakamoto, Chief of Land Survey and Acquisition. Good morning, Chair Cordero, Voice Chair Okamoto, Council members Aaron Sakamoto with the Department of Design Construction. We've submitted dedication documents for the Hoanani subdivision, and we're asking for your approval and acceptance of these documents. Thank you very much. Members, do we have any questions for Chief Sakamoto? Right. Seeing none, we will now proceed with remote testimony. We don't have any registered remote testifiers, but is there anyone else, anyone online who wishes to testify? Chair, there none. Thank you. Seeing none, um, we are now moving to in-person testifiers. Is there anyone in person wishes to testify? Seeing that that there's none, um, members, we are in discussion on this deed conveyance. Okay, seeing none, members, uh, the chair then recommends that the document requesting approval and acceptance of the grant conveying easement for public use in Eva, transmitted by communication D 671 be reported out for council approval. Any discussion? Objections or reservations. Hearing none, so ordered. Moving forward to agenda item number two. Can communication D698 2025 from the Department of Design Construction? This requests the consideration of deed conveying roadway lots 19886 and 1988 7. Grant of flowage easement 11180 and grant of temporary road turnaround easements 11178 and 11179 for public use and Eva. Once again with us, uh we have the Chief of Land Survey and Acquisition of the Department of Design Construction, Aaron Sakamoto. Chief Sakamoto. Good morning again. Aaron Sakamoto, Department of Design and Construction. And we've submitted the uh dedication documents for the Hawkea at Hoopili subdivision and asking for your approval and acceptance of those items. Thank you. Members, do we have any questions uh relating to this conveyance at for Haakea at Hoopili subdivision? Okay, seeing now we'll go to testimony, and if there's any uh discussion later on, uh we'll take that up after testimony. Uh we don't have any registered or in-person testifiers, but is there anyone online who wishes to testify? Chair, there are none. Okay, seeing none, we will uh now ask if there's anyone in person who wishes to testify.
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