Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation, and Technology, chaired by Chair Cordero, convened on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 9:02 AM. Members present included Vice Chair Okimoto, Councilmembers Susantis TAM, Topola, and Council Chair Waters. Councilmember Wire was excused at the start but later joined. The committee considered four action items and received two informational briefings.
Jim Amato of Humu Humu Services and Chris of BHC presented a proposal for non-exclusive subsurface easements to connect long-haul subsea fiber optic cables to a new telecom facility at the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus. The project aims to expand broadband capacity and improve internet redundancy in the Pacific. The community benefits package includes an in-kind beautification of Barbers Point Beach Park (trees, irrigation, fencing) valued at an estimated $700,000.
Council Vice Chair Tipola, whose district includes the project area, raised several concerns. She noted that the $700,000 community benefit is an in-kind donation, not a cash contribution, and questioned the long-term maintenance of the park improvements by DPR. She strongly emphasized the severe traffic congestion on Kalailoa Boulevard, particularly at the Kapolei Commons intersection, and requested detailed construction notification flyers for businesses in the Campbell Industrial Park. Jim Amato committed to providing advance notification and working with the city on traffic mitigation, including potential off-peak and night work.
Paula Youngling of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services confirmed the $2,950,310 easement fee will go directly to the city's general fund. Council Chair Waters suggested the possibility of appropriating these funds for specific needs, such as the Kapolei Police Station.
Councilmember Okimoto inquired about the project timeline, noting it was "down to the wire" for end-of-year construction. Amato confirmed the permitting process is ongoing, with the building permit for the telecom facility being the main outstanding item.
Councilmember Wire expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its benefits for digital resilience and redundancy in the Pacific.
Key Outcome: Resolution 26-226 was reported out for adoption by the full council. The vote was unanimous.
Anthony J. Baldomero Jr., a 33-year veteran of the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission, introduced himself as the council's appointee to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board of Directors. He emphasized his experience with government transparency, budgets, and the legislative process.
Baldomero stated his initial priority is finishing the funded Kakaako segment of the rail project and adhering to the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). He acknowledged that any extensions would require additional funding sources authorized by the legislature.
Council Vice Chair Tipola expressed support for Baldomero, appreciating his meticulous background. She advocated for the needs of her West Oahu district, specifically requesting consideration for a parking lot at the UH West Oahu rail station on the correct side of the street and improvements to the Kroc Center station.
Key Outcome: Resolution 26-235 was reported out for adoption. Baldomero stated he would meet with all council members prior to the formal appointment vote scheduled for November 5.
Director Roger Morton of the Department of Transportation Services presented the annual Agency Safety Plan required by federal transit law, covering the Skyline rail system.
Director Morton detailed safety improvements made since the system began operation, including re-engineering fair gates to prevent trapping children and closing small gaps on station platforms. He reported very few federally reportable incidents over the system's three-year history. Regarding elevator and escalator outages, Morton stated they are running at over 99% availability.
Deputy Director Hong Lin provided an update on the Pearl Highlands pedestrian bridge project, a top priority for DTS. Lin stated a $20 million federal grant has been secured, an engineering support contract was signed in September 2026, and construction is anticipated to begin in 2030.
Key Outcome: Resolution 26-20 was reported out for adoption.
Major Paul Okamoto of the Honolulu Police Department testified in support of a bill to amend shared micromobility vehicle parking regulations. He cited an unlicensed scooter operator in Waikiki whose vehicles are frequently left haphazardly on sidewalks and roadways, creating trip hazards.
Currently, under Section 15-31.8, the city must notify the operator and wait four hours before removing improperly parked vehicles. The bill seeks an exemption for the Waikiki Special District, allowing for immediate removal of shared micromobility vehicles from public property. Major Okamoto noted that a cease-and-desist letter had been sent by DTS, but the operator continues to operate and has retained legal counsel.
Council Chair Waters, the bill's introducer, supported it as a preventative measure against trip hazards and lawsuits.
Key Outcome: Bill 58 was reported out for second reading and scheduling of a public hearing.
Director Ryan McKee provided an update on the city's effort to modernize its DMV mainframe system, which still relies on COBOL programs and green-screen terminals.
McKee outlined three modernization paths explored by the department:
McKee stated he has chosen to proceed with the AI-driven path, which is funded within his current budget. Upon completion, the city will own the code and save $3 million annually in mainframe rental costs. The new system includes built-in AI assistance for customer service representatives. The mainframe will be kept in an archival state for 1-2 years as a backup during the transition.
Council Vice Chair Tipola and Councilmember Okimoto questioned the staffing transition (2 COBOL developers to 20 modern staff) and data backup plans. McKee clarified the 20 staff members are reallocated from the existing applications team and that the database migration to MongoDB is already underway.
Key Outcome: This was an informational briefing; no action was taken. The department will proceed with the AI migration starting next month.
Deputy Director Mark Yonamine of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) presented a list of upcoming public works projects scheduled to bid before the end of 2026. Highlights included the Capilani Boulevard paving project, replacement of the fire alarm system at the traffic management center, and the Mahly Community Park irrigation system improvements.
Council Vice Chair Tipola discussed the challenges of community engagement and traffic mitigation for projects on busy corridors. She asked about notification procedures for shifting construction schedules. Yonamine stated that DDC works with contractors and DTS on traffic control plans and will coordinate with council members to inform the public of significant changes.
Key Outcome: This was an informational briefing. Chair Cordero announced this will be a recurring first-quarter briefing to allow the committee to review upcoming construction projects.
Aloha and good morning. It is um 9 02 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and I would like to call the committee on infrastructure, transportation, and technology meeting to order. I would like to welcome committee vice chair Okimoto, Councilmember Susantis TAM, Topola, and uh Council Chair Waters. Council Member Councilmember Wire is excused at the moment from today's meeting. Pursuant to night section 92-3.7, the Hawaii revised statutes. This meeting will be conducted as 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 in person in the council chamber and remotely when each agenda item is taken up. As both English and Hawaiian are official languages of the state and of Hawaii, pursuant to Article 15, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution and Section 1-13 of the Hawaii revised statutes. Members of the public may testify in other language and either language. This resolution approves the grant to Humu Humu Services, LLC of the non-exclusive subsurface easements with importance of Barbers Point Beach Park Tax Map Key 191026027 and portions of Ola Eastree, tax map key 19-2. Oh no, 9-1, 026 road and 031 road, Kalailoa Boulevard, Tax Map Key 191031 Road, Kapole Kapalay Parkway, Tax Map Key 19106 Road, Kamukila Boulevard, Tax Map Key 191016 Road and Farrington Highway, Tax Map Key 1910 Road and 17017 Road, Hono Uli Uli, Eva Oahu Hawaii. Members joining us in the council chamber. We have Mr. Jim Amado from Global Infrastructure Network to give a brief presentation. For your information, the presentation is available online as miscellaneous communication for 2026. Yes, give me proceed to the uh podium and Rashim, and then you can uh proceed with your testimony. Yes, thank you. Uh aloha, Chair, uh Vice Chair, uh members of the committee of the infrastructure, technology, and transportation. Uh my name is Jim Amato. I'm representing Humahumu services today, uh, along with Chris, who's our engineer consultant from BHC. Uh and we'll be providing a brief summary of the project in support of your approval. Uh this slide uh gives a brief summary of the purpose and public benefit of this program. Uh we're connecting long-haul sub-sea fiber optic cables to new telecom facility at the University of Hawaii West Oahu campus. Uh, we'll be expanding broadband capacity on Oahu and improve redundancy and reliability of the internet. Uh similar to the Connect Kakao Initiative. Uh, we were also connecting uh many of the Pacific Islands as shown in the map, uh, connecting Hawaii to French poly, uh, Fiji, Mariana Islands, uh,