HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu’s Skyline rail system is growing again.
The city held a dedication ceremony Wednesday for segment two, which, starting Thursday, adds four new stations and five more miles of track extending to the Kalihi Transit Center.
The expansion builds on the first segment, which opened last year and currently ends at Halawa Station near Aloha Stadium.
The new phase connects major Oahu destinations, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the Mapunapuna and Lagoon Drive industrial areas, and the Kalihi Transit Center.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi highlighted the system’s speed and convenience.
“Thirty-two minutes from Kapolei to the airport, and if you miss that train, there’ll be another one in 10 minutes,” Blangiardi said.
Former mayor Kirk Caldwell called the expansion a milestone years in the making.
“Just hearing it arriving at the station, fantastic. I’m going to use it for sure,” Caldwell said.
He also reflected on the political and financial challenges that came with launching the project.
“In my first term, I dealt with a lot of controversy, having to go to the Legislature twice to get additional funds. Without those funds, we wouldn’t be riding this train today,” he said.
The Skyline will also extend its operating hours, running from 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.
Officials say average weekday ridership currently stands at about 4,500 passengers, and they hope to see that number double with the opening of the new segment.
Former mayor Mufi Hannemann, who helped initiate the rail project, says it’s about more than just transportation.
“Somebody had to bite the bullet and start it, and that’s what we did in my administration,” Hannemann said.
He added that transit-oriented development will be key to unlocking the rail’s long-term benefits, from affordable housing and retail to open space and job opportunities near station areas.
“Reducing commuting time means more time with their families, improving quality of life,” Hannemann said. “I think the momentum will continue to build.”
Officials say the Skyline isn’t just about getting riders from point A to point B. It’s also about shaping communities around the stations and creating a more connected future for Honolulu.
Skyline is offering free rides on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for more information.
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