HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Lori Kahikina, who took the helm of HART as interim CEO in Jan. 2021, has just received a multi-year contract and a pay raise.
Kahikina has been in discussions for a new contract for months and said securing a multi-year deal was critical.
"You nailed it, that was the number one concern," she said. "the main reason is consistency, because not only is it in flux for me, but it's the main thing is for my my team members, especially my managers."
Kahikina said a new CEO would have meant contractors would have needed to coordinate with different leadership for the next phase of Rail -- Mayor Rick Blangiardi said getting the first phase operational was tough enough already.
"Which is already the biggest undertaking in the state's history to begin with in and of itself, coming down the Dillingham corridor, they're almost complete with the utility relocations, but building the guideway and really building a bridge through downtown Honolulu is no small engineering feat," Blangiardi said.
"You know, we knew full well that we had inherited, both of us, and given our responsibilities a project that was need of getting its act together," Mayor Blangiardi told KHON2. "I mean, you know, the fact that we got the FTA back to the table, we had an amended FFGA to their acceptance and everything else that we've done and the construction, now the operating, going back a year ago, I'm really proud of Lori."
“Lori Kahikina has excelled in leading this complex transit project over the past few years, demonstrating her leadership through a collaborative, hands-on, and proactive approach. Her contributions have been significant for the City and County of Honolulu and its taxpayers,” said Department of Transportation Services director Roger Morton.
Kahikina's current three-year term ends on December 31, when her salary will rise to $336,000 from the $275,000 she was paid since she joined HART in 2021. The three-year contract starts on the first day of 2025 and will be eligible for two two-year extensions.
"And it's automatic unless the board decides to vote to get me out," she said.
Contracts are already in place through Kakaako, companies have given quotes for getting service to Ala Moana and Kahikina said stretching Skyline to the nation's largest outdoor mall will not only benefit consumers.
"We're not all shoppers.' That's not the point. Ala Moana is the transit hub for the entire island. That's where all of the DTS busses, they go there, people transfer to get onto another busses and farm out. So, that's why we really do need to get to Ala Moana, actually we need to get to UH. You can feel the traffic difference right? When UH is back in session, it's a big difference," she said.
The contract also will require Kahikina to attend and complete a CEO training program at University of California, Berkley or another comparable program. She still has some questions over the scheduling and logistics of the program but is open to an opportunity to learn.
"If I can improve, though, you know, I know I'm a tough boss. If I can improve on maybe my delivery or maybe even my thinking, be a little bit more strategic, then I'm all for it," she said.
Kahikina said Skyline will open service to Kakaako sometime in 2031 if there are no more sidetracks.