Council Candidate Greg Thielen Calls for Removal of HART Executive Director

News Release from www.GThielen.com

In a letter to the HART Board of Directors (attached) Greg Thielen urged the Board of Directors to terminate Executive Director Andrew Robbins. Thielen is running for District 3 (Ahuimanu, Heeia, Haiku, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake, and Waimanalo), a seat being vacated by Ikaika Anderson due to term limits.

Thielen cited Robbins’ ongoing refusal to share any information regarding the proposals received on July 23 as showing “exceptionally poor judgement”. He also reminded the board that in their own review of Robbins they faulted him for needing to do a better job engaging with the public. While the board does not have the authority to compel Robbins to release the bids, they do have the authority to fire him and replace him with someone that is willing to be open and honest about the project. Thielen also pointed out -

“This is the biggest contract in City history with an estimated $1.4 billion in construction cost and a 30‐year $4 billion operations contract. The fact of the matter is the taxpayers of the City and County of Honolulu deserve to know the details of this proposed contract prior to any decision being made on it.”

While not stated in his letter to HART, Greg Thielen also issued the following statement this morning to all other candidates running for City Office –

“To my fellow candidates. I am writing to urge you to join me in calling for the HART board to take action to terminate Executive Director Andrew Robbins. The Directors ongoing refusal to share the P3 bids received on July 23 is inexcusable. This is the biggest contract in City history and will obligate the Tax Payers of the City and County of Honolulu to a 30 year operations contract with an estimated cost of $4 billion. This step cannot be allowed to take place under this shroud of secrecy, without public knowledge, comment or feedback.”

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To HART Board of Directors

Dear Chair Martyn and Board Members,   August 28, 2020

I am writing you today in regard to Executive Director Robbins continued refusal to make public the bids for the final phase of rail construction. Not only is this information being withheld from the public, it is not being shared with you either. As Vice Chair Lee commented “We, like the rest of the public, are in the dark”. I would also point out that your own performance review of Executive Director Robbins faulted him for needing to do a better job engaging with the public. Clearly his performance is falling short of expectations.

This is the biggest contract in City history with an estimated $1.4 billion in construction cost and a 30‐year $4 billion operations contract. The fact of the matter is the taxpayers of the City and County of Honolulu deserve to know the details of this proposed contract prior to any decision being made on it.

While you are being advised you do not have the authority to demand this, you do have the authority to terminate Director Robbins for the exceptionally poor judgement he is demonstrating. If he is unwilling to be responsive to your board and the people of Oahu, replace him with someone who is.

I ask that you move forward with this process to protect the people you are there to serve. This project requires far greater transparency and you are our last line of defense.

Sincerely,

Greg Thielen

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Aug 28, 2020: HART Copies Leong’s Kealoha Trick to Hide P3 Contract—Delayed For 6th Time