Toru Hamayasu

Kenneth Toru Hamayasu is interim executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit. Hamayasu was the general manager for the Honolulu rail project prior to his interim appointment by the HART Board of Directors. The board’s intent is to appoint a permanent executive director by the end of 2011.

Prior to joining HART, Hamayasu headed the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Rapid Transit Division.

Honolulu's rail plans have received local and national criticism. Hamayasu often personally answers negative comments, such as this July 27, 2011 response to Mike Hashimoto, an editor with The Dallas Morning News who lived in Honolulu from 1967-1971. Another example of his response to critiques can be seen here.

Hamayasu manages HART using operating and capital improvement budgets prepared by the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. The fiscal year 2012 budgets [pdf] total about $20.5 million and $354.7 million dollars respectively, for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The operating budget includes funds for personnel and other operating expenditures including equipment. The capital improvement budget — a combination of federal, state and local funds — pays for the rail design, construction, equipment and land acquisition.

HART Contact information

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit Office
1099 Alakea Street, 17th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813

Phone: (808) 566-2299
E-mail: info@HonoluluTransit.org

Loading