The City Council on Wednesday passed second reading of Bill 60, CD1, which authorizes the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) to conduct planning and preliminary engineering for extensions beyond the agency’s current minimum operable segment (MOS).

The MOS currently authorized by council is East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. The bill does not authorize construction or commit construction funding; it permits planning, surveys and preliminary engineering work that proponents say are needed now to reduce future cost and schedule risk.

Why it matters: Supporters said early planning can reduce utility-relocation risk, help unlock transit-oriented development and prepare for future extensions to Manoa and other areas. Opponents said it is premature, that the city should first complete and evaluate the MOS and Segment 2 ridership and operations before authorizing extensions.

What was said: Executive director Lori Kaihikina told the council, “Currently… the MOS is from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center.” Council Member Cordero, a co-sponsor, said the measure “is not authorizing construction, it's authorizing planning.” Supporters including transit riders and construction trade representatives urged planning so the agency can avoid repeating early utility-relocation surprises. Several council members — including Toba and Tollboff — registered objections or reservations, saying the city should “finish the minimum operating segment… within budget with accountability and transparency” before expanding planning authority.

Public testimony was mixed. Proponents included transit riders and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, which said planning could unlock housing and relieve traffic. Opponents and skeptics cited the system’s troubled start, concerns about rising maintenance and operating costs, and the need for more robust ridership data before expansion.

Vote and next steps: The bill passed second reading with recorded objections and reservations from several members; language in CD1 restricts the action to planning and preliminary engineering and does not allocate construction funds. Committee sponsors requested additional public hearings and want HART to bring planning results back to council and the HART board for review before any construction authorization.

Ending: Council members said they will monitor Segment 2 performance and ridership data and expect HART to provide detailed, accountable plans and cost estimates if the agency pursues the planning authorized by this measure.