First Hawaiian's Horner Now on Rail, Education and Tourism Boards
04/19/2011
Adrienne LaFrance/Civil Beat
First Hawaiian Bank CEO and Chairman Don Horner has topped a number of important short-lists lately. Less than a week after being sworn in as chairman of the new appointed state Board of Education, Horner on Monday was named one of 10 members on the board of a new Honolulu mass transit agency.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle hand-picked Horner for the respective leadership roles.
Carlisle said his three picks for the board of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit have enough "gravitas" that specialized rail experience isn't necessary. The mayor introduced his appointees in a Monday afternoon press conference. Other than Horner, they were:
- Retired Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Director William "Buzzy" Hong
- Honolulu Corporation Counsel Carrie Okinaga
Voters in November approved a charter amendment creating the authority, a semi-autonomous agency that will oversee construction and operation of the $5.5 billion, 20-mile rail line from Kakaako to Ala Moana.
"I think they bring with them a level of respect and experience that is known in the community," Carlisle. "And more importantly, specifically, known in the fields that are critical to what HART's mission is going to be."
