HI SCR191

Requests U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Transit Administration initiate a performance review of the Honolulu Rail Transit Project under the 2024 Amended Full Funding Grant Agreement.

Notes the Rail Project is the most expensive publicly funded project in Hawaii, originally budgeted at $5.2 billion with a 2020 completion date, but now faces a 2030 completion timeline with an estimated cost of $12.45 billion.

Highlights that Hawaii has provided $3.9 billion in state bailout funding through general excise tax surcharges in 2015 ($1.5 billion) and 2017 ($2.4 billion), set to expire in 2030.

References that Hill International Inc., the project's management oversight consultant, repeatedly flagged staffing vacancies in critical positions as of 2024.

Directs transmission of certified copies of the resolution to the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Federal Transit Administration, Hill International Inc., and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation leadership.