Pine urges direct federal oversight of rail’s P3 contract awards

Protection of taxpayer dollars is paramount

News Release from Councilmember Kym Pine, August 6, 2020

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — Concerned about alleged corruption and skyrocketing budget overruns that have plagued Honolulu’s rail transit project, Councilmember Kym Pine is urging the Federal Transit Administration to conduct in-person oversight of rail project awards of so-called public-private-partnership, or P3 contracts.

“The City and County of Honolulu is on the verge of awarding P3 contracts, the most costly portion of the rail project. Due to the ongoing controversy surrounding management and escalating costs, we need additional guidance and oversight, directly from the federal government,” said Pine.

“Proposals have already been submitted for consideration and the public is being blocked from any information about them. The time for direct, in-person FTA oversight to begin, is now,” Pine said.

A copy of her letter to the USDOT-FTA is attached. >>> LINK <<<

Councilmember Kym Pine represents residents of District One, comprising portions of ‘Ewa Villages and ‘Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko ‘Olina, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili, Wai‘anae, Mākaha, Kea‘au and Makua) and is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Business Economic Development and Tourism.

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Related: HART to Sign Secret $4B Rail Contract