A big Hawaii construction project is not in line for state funding through this latest measure but is still drawing major attention — the $9.2 billion, 20-mile Honolulu commuter rail line. Earlier this year, the Hawaii state auditor’s office issued the first of four reports on how the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has handled the project, and the overriding message was that competent oversight has been sorely lacking.
The project’s budget has increased by more than $5 billion since 2012 and is six years behind schedule. State auditor Leslie Kondo pointed to several missteps made by HART, including issuing construction contracts too soon.
