Rep. Tupola’s Statement Following Rail Informational Briefing

News Release from Office of Rep Andria Tupola, August 14, 2017

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI –  Representative Andria Tupola (R-43 - ʻEwa Villages, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Nanakai Gardens, Ko Olina, Kahe Point, Nānākuli, Lualualei, Māʻili), a member of the House Committee on Finance, issued this statement following today’s informational briefing on the Honolulu Rail Project:

“I was disappointed that City officials left so early and left many of our questions unanswered, which reflects how unserious they are about this issue. City and HART officials were often unable to give specific answers to our questions and rarely took responsibility for their cost overruns and inflated budgets. We were also unable to meet the new HART Executive Director who will ultimately determine the direction of this project.

“I hope that the HART board and City leaders will actively work with the private sector to mitigate costs and find solutions to a project that continues to cost taxpayer money. I was pleased to hear many creative solutions proposed, and hope that HART and City leaders will be proactive in pursuing these ideas.

“As special session convenes in a couple weeks, I will work toward passing a forensic audit of HART, to search for possible waste, fraud, and abuse. We need to hold HART and the City accountable for this messy project.”

The Rail Informational Briefing took place on August 14th, 2017, beginning at 10:00am in the Auditorium of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol building.

# # #

Rep. Tupola’s Statement on Rail Informational Briefing

News Release from Office of Rep Andria Tupola, August 13, 2017

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI –  Representative Andria Tupola (R-43 - ʻEwa Villages, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Nanakai Gardens, Ko Olina, Kahe Point, Nānākuli, Lualualei, Māʻili), a member  of the House Committee on Finance, issued the following statement on tomorrow’s informational briefing on the Honolulu Rail Project:

“The failed Honolulu Rail Project has been front and center for the majority of this year. The people are tired of the unrestrained use of their dollars for a project that is now three times more expensive than promised and the most expensive rail project, per capita, in the world.

“As we prepare for the informational briefing tomorrow morning, City and HART leaders need to prove to the entire state that they can handle taxpayer dollars responsibly by providing a step-by-step plan of action to ensure not one more dollar goes to waste.

“I will continue to fight for Hawaiʻi’s families that are tired of the burden of high taxation as we move towards special session.”

The Rail Informational Briefing will be held tomorrow, August 14th, 2017, beginning at 10:00am in the Auditorium of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol building.

# # #