The American Public Transportation Association is honoring the late Sen. Daniel Inouye for his support of Honolulu’s rail transit project.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation said Tuesday Inouye was selected to receive the organization’s 2013 Distinguished Service Award.

His former chief of staff, Jennifer Sabas, accepted the award on his behalf along with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and HART CEO Daniel Grabauskas.

Inouye was influential in securing federal funding for the Honolulu rail project. He passed away in December, two days before Honolulu and the Federal Transit Administration signed a funding agreement for the project.

Construction work resumed last month on the 20-mile line from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center.

Work had been suspended for over a year while the city conducted archaeological studies along the route.