Hanabusa to serve as HART chairwoman
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
Mayor Kirk Caldwell, center, announced the resignation of HART chairman Don Horner on April 11. Colleen Hanabusa, right, is the new HART board chairwoman.
Colleen Hanabusa is the new Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board chairwoman.
HART board members unanimously voted to appoint the former Hawaii congresswoman to that post today, one day after Mayor Kirk Caldwell affirmed his plans to re-appoint her to a new term this summer, when her existing term expires.
“This decision did not come easily. However, I believe the board is at an important juncture,” Hanabusa said immediately following her appointment. “I am doing it because I feel the board has to be very accountable to the public. I feel that we (the board) can work together and do the public’s bidding.”
Hanabusa replaces former HART board Chairman Don Horner, who resigned last week amid growing concern and discomfort over the project’s financial shape. Vice chairman Damien Kim briefly served as interim chair.
The rail agency board chairpersons have typically served two one-year terms, alternating between members appointed by the mayor and the City Council. It wasn’t immediately clear how long Hanabusa will serve as chairwoman since she’s taking over for Horner toward the end of his first one-year term.
The move comes amid a spirited board meeting, in which several members – particularly city Department of Transportation Services Michael Formby – called for more timely and reliable budget updates from HART staff.
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Formby, a Hanabusa ally on the rail agency board, further called for a reform of “the governance of the board.” He called for the board to get more information from staff.
“We look like potted plants when we don’t have the opportunity to ask questions and make decisions,” Formby said.
On Wednesday, Caldwell named Colbert Matsumoto to replace Horner on the board. Here is the current make-up of the 10-member HART board:
>> Colleen Hanabusa, former U.S. congresswoman and former state senator; board chairwoman
>> Damien Kim, business manager and financial secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186; vice chairman.
>> George I. Atta, director of the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting; an ex-officio, non-voting member of the board.
>> Michael Formby, director of the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services; an ex-officio, voting member of the board.
>> Ford Fuchigami, director of the state Department of Transportation; an ex-officio, voting member of the board.
>> Terri Fujii, audit partner at CW Associates, CPAs.
>> William “Buzz” Hong, former executive director of the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council.
>> Terrence Lee, partner in the law firm Sullivan Meheula Lee.
>> Ivan Lui-Kwan, an attorney and director with Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher.
>> Colbert Matsumoto, executive chairman of Island Insurance Co.
144 responses to “Hanabusa to serve as HART chairwoman”
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Just perfect.
Another wooden stake into the inept HART of the $24.8 Billion Dollar TITANIC RAIL SCAM from no where to no where and much more than a BLIGHT!!!
Why am I not surprised? So we are going from someone who is/was a successful businessman and CEO of one of the two largest banks, and one the most profitable businesses in the state, to Hanabusa? Well, she may actually be “better equipped” for the job. She is used to all the back room deals, under the table shenanigans and you scratch my back arrangements that someone of Horner’s stature. She is well versed at turning a blind eye to the little guy being stepped on, in the interest of “the bigger picture”.
Forgot to ask what on earth Mr. Kim’s qualifications are other than being the business agent of a construction union.
CADwell has got to be the best trickster in town. All of us would try and keep our promises no matter how difficult. CADwell just takes back his promises to the people about rail, on time and on budget, and then says, since I can’t keep my promises, I won’t make any promises anymore. What a joke! As I said, the Council and Legislature should put these people under oath when testifying about rail, especially when asking for more taxes. That way, they will either tell us the truth and they will be put in jail for this huge expensive lie.
look how many board members have a conflict of interest..too many ties to construction and government..no wonder the price of rail is infinite
I told y’all. It won’t make a difference who is picked, the weNO GANG will always cry and whine. All day 24/7.
The usual suspects
Hart is providing cushiony for washed up politicians like Hanabusa? It smells.
Alright finally someone we can trust and get this thing right! Sorry wrong article.
This will be interesting as Hanabusa and the mayor are very close.I can believe it was unanimous as no one else wants to take the heat Horner took and news about the rail is likely to get worse with time. Will she be a “spokesperson” as Horner called himself or will she live up to her reputation of “telling it like it is” even if it’a not favorable to the Mayor. Only time will tell!
Well, lets see if there is more transparency and accountability. Or will be be more of the same?
“I feel so reassured that Hanabusa is taking charge!”
Said literally no one. Ever.
In fact, this might be worse than Horner.
This might very well be the worst possible outcome of them all.
Two Words Primo1:
Jeremy Harris
There’s your nightmare come true.
I got a better one!
Rod Tam
Shaking in your slippahs yet?
She’s just cooling her heels at HART until the opportunity arises for her to try for the gov’s seat. Like Moofee, she just doesn’t get the glaring hint that she’s not wanted anymore…
ohh no
Okay so it went from the banker to the union guy almost to the insurance guy and now the politician. Doesn’t matter. All the King’s Horses and All the King’s Men, won’t be able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Rail is here folks. You should of paid attention. Face it, we are s-c-r-e-w-e-d on so many levels it’s not even funny.
Garbage out Garbage in. Same old s***! This is what Hawaii is all about; Recycled garbage.
What happened to Matsumoto?
Making SHAVE ICE…
At least one of them are good at their job.
Exactly
Would this have been what the late Senator Daniel Inouye wanted ?
Check with Walter Dods. he will know.
Found an interesting article on Don Horner – “When life hands you challenges, you have two choices – you can be bitter or you can be better.”
http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/don-horner-first-hawaiian-bank-ceo-board-of-education-chairman-single-father/
Those of you who voted for rail…you were warned, but you wouldn’t listen.
None of us “voted for rail” or against it for that matter. We never were given the chance; unless you are going to say we keep voting the same clowns in that support it, in which case you would be correct.
I voted for Rail in 2008 and have no regrets. Also a majority voted for it and that’s why it’s proceeding. In today’s world when the democratic process happens, the loser or anti wants to file lawsuits to stop things that the majority voted on. Like saying NO mommy, I won’t do it.
I agree. They’re come grapes.
They cheer “Make America Grapes Again”.
We don’t know if the majority voted for rail. They counted blank votes as yes votes.
Don’t know where you “voted for rail” but it sure wasn’t on Oahu. There has NEVER been a yes or no vote on rail period!
Liar. No one voted for rail. stop your lying already.
They get paid or receive a benefit to lie.
Very bad choice which was expected. The iceberg is looming and it is full speed ahead on the Titanic.
And look who’s steering the ship.
I doubt if she can bring the rail in under or even close to budget.
Sure she will. She’ll get the unions to take a wage cut. (Ha) She represent the Unions–I don’t see any relief from the overspending.
Not sure about the predictable pick but lets see what she got!
Right. Give her a chance. A two year term can prove she can do the job.
What does she know about running a rail system. No one on the board has any rail, let alone transportation backgrounds.
So how does she make this group better? It needs someone who will challenge the numbers and everyone involved.
She can’t get voters to elect her into office so she has to have a politician appoint her a position. And surprise!!!! She now heads that committee. Jokes on us!
Wow. That pic of the Big 3 is one joyous looking group. I don’t think Hanabusa could look worse if she tried.
Would make a lovely Christmas card!
MANNY, MOE, AND JACKY(?)
“Once your inside
They wont take you for a ride
They got a good deal for you and your automobile
For the right price
They will sell you fuzzy dice
And leather hand grips for your steering whee-al”
She’s a lawyer and a politician. She has no management nor leadership experience. Just a bunch of democrats scratching each others’ backs instead of having QUALIFIED and PROVEN leaders do the job.
Jerry_D….She has no management nor leadership experience. EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING.
BTW, as general counsel to three City Council members who were charged with accepting prohibited gifts and then failed to disclose those conflicts of interest before voting on key rail issues that were favorable to lobbyists, and now she runs the Rail Board. Will she finally, recognizing what the appearance of impropriety really is, recuse herself from anything that looks like a political ménage a trois?
Shouldn’t the DTS Director be the defacto chair of the HART board? That would help to eliminate some of the concern that HART does not coordinate with the other transportation services.
Exactly! SOMEONE with “transportation” experience. It doesn’t count driving one’s car to a HART meeting.
Formby is a LAWYER, not a transportation expert.
Big difference between “experience”, “expert” and “politician”.
And he is also incompetent.
From Formby’s Linked In page
Experience
City and County of Honolulu
Director, Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
January 2013 – Present (3 years 4 months)
Lead team of transportation, traffic and transit engineers, planners and technicians in achieving transportation planning, traffic engineering, traffic signals and technology and transit goals. Implement complete streets policies, advocate for multi-modal solutions, vision for the future, inspire creativity, partner with the community and stakeholders, respect the environment and commit to public transparency.
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel
Attorney at Law
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel
August 2011 – January 2013 (1 year 6 months)
Admiralty/Maritime, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations, Administrative Law, Contract Law, Insurance Defense
Interim Director (DOT)/Deputy Director (Harbors Division)
Department of Transportation, State of Hawaii
August 2007 – December 2010 (3 years 5 months)
Lead Hawaii Department of Transportation and Harbors Division overseeing 10 commercial harbors on 6 islands. Served on the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), Aloha Tower Development Authority (ATDC) and the Employer-Union Trust Fund (EUTF).
President/Managing Partner
Frame Formby & O’Kane, AAL, ALC
January 2001 – June 2007 (6 years 6 months)
Senior Trial Attorney; Served on State of Hawaii Land Use Commission (Vice-Chair 2006-2007).
Managing Partner
Alcantara Frame & Formby
May 1998 – January 2001 (2 years 9 months)
Admiralty/Maritime, Insurance Defense, Commercial Litigation
Attorney at Law
Alcantara & Frame
March 1993 – May 1998 (5 years 3 months)
Litigation
None of the people on the board has “transportation” experience. A couple happen to be Directors of Transportation departments but they are political appointees and have no real “transportation” experience. In fact, all government agency Directors have no experience in the departments they are head of.
Placing a failed politician at the helm of this debacle is ludicrous. Hanabusa doesn’t know how to work within a budget or how to be accountable to the public. Horner was much better, but no one can fix this gigantic mess.
Loves the power, craves the power, must have the power
someone mentioned Mufi to chair HART in an earlier article. It was his “baby” at the inception.
GO MUFI! Caldwell and Mufi bucking heads. This would take the attention off the budget shorfalls and more drama in the boxing ring.
I wrote that. As a sweet revenge punishment for Moofee. He, like Hanabatta, has expired shelf life
Both of you need to atone for your sins against the public.
I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t mind getting in the ring with both of them and kick both their butts
Does anyone know if this appointed/anointed position includes a salary ? Or is Hanabusa volunteering like Horner ?
all HART board seats are volunteer posts…
So all HART board members are doing it for FREE with no vested interest or perks ?
Performing out of the goodness of their hearts with nothing other than ‘satisfaction’……
That depends on how you define “perks.”
Marcel Honoré – You write great articles. Generated a lot of comments. Excellent journalism.
Colleen is a great choice to lead the board. She has never been a rubber stamp. Right now rather than attacking her or the boad of Hart, the public needs to show her and the board support. Difficult times call for determined leadership.
Colleen knows that this project will shape Honolulu for the next 50 years. And we must get it right.
ROFLMAO!
jeffyjc…..your comment is HILARIOUS and the C&C will be BANKRUPT in much less that 50 years!!!
jeffyjc – you killin me!!! It will shape Honolulu alright, the prime example of failure!!
She will start small bankrupt the city and then move on to the state that will be her legacy. Thank god she lost her senate bid.
This is an epic example of sarcasm. I hope. :/
Hi jeffyjc, Is this you Jeff Stone or Hanabusa’s mother? Colleen is a great choice?????????????? Must be mom.
Agree, she calls it like she sees it. I trust her and think she will work to bring transparency to the project.
You thought that about Horner too.
Ernie should know that his grandstanding may have unintended consequences. Like getting fired.
Just like how Colleen help “shape” Jeff Stone’s Koolina development?
Didn’t I just hear Colbert Matsumoto was replacing Horner? Mufi’s choo choo train is a disaster and there will be a lot of “I told you so” when this things blows up in every taxpayer’s face (if it hasn’t already). What an effen joke. Sad thing is we’ll all be paying for it for the rest of our lives.
Yes, Mstrumoto was Caldwell’s choice. But the board was not afraid to say “NO” to that and instead picked Colleen whom they feel can steward this wayward ship much better. Good for them! Maybe this is the beginning of people beginning to think for themselves and not kowtow to Mr. Mayor. Colleen may not be everyone’s favorite, but she was a member of Congress, she was the President of Hawaii’s Senate. She knows how to get stuff done. Give her a chance and let’s see where we go. The alternative is to just fret and complain and give up. I’m not willing to do that.
If by “get stuff done” you mean raiding the ERS and leaving it underfunded for years to come, you’re absolutely right.
She surely knows how to get things done…I you don’t recall, she is the one that have herself with along the rest of the legislators a 30%+ pay increase before leaving for congress.
What a lovely picture!! It has me all excited about Honolulu’s rail future!!
“That’s reassuring.”
Said no one. Ever.
You should change your name to Totemo Bakatare. Fits you perfectly.
rugged
Let’s extend the rail to UH Manoa! Let’s extend the rail to Ko Olina! Let’s build a rail spur into Waikiki! Let’s build a rail spur to Mililani!
Great. Another cut-n-paste rail cheerleader. You haven’t been following the news, have you?
That was sarcasm, if you didn’t notice.
The inter-webzs often lose tone.
Hence why the /sarcasm or /satire tag was invented.
I agree that Shellback is probably being sarcastic, but one can never be sure without the tag.
Nah, he posts that on every rail article. It’s his version of wiliki’s “Fire Ernie, He’s delaying rail” or ukulele blue’s “rail should have been built decades ago… the GET is barely felt” etc.
Nope, we kupuna tell the truth. This guy is being sarcastic.
Let’s build a spur across the Equator, so people don’t have to be pollywogs anymore!
Hanabusa has decided to go down with the sinking ship, er fixed rail!
She didn’t do anything when she was in DC and she won’t do anything for HART. Doesn’t matter if she’s paid or a volunteer, the result is still the same. She will be just as useless as Horner.
Just Great! A do nothing lifetime politician over seeing the largest and most expensive construction project in Hawaii state history. What could go wrong?
Everything
Just another bump in the rail line…
Caldwell, you gotta stop.
I am completely shocked by this totally unexpected turn of events.
I would not jump into that hot tub … even if the union paid me and put up a statue! Just how are favors repaid in this state?
One BILLYGOAT, 2 LUPCHONG, 3 MANAPUA, 4 MOCHI, 5 MALASADAS, AND SEVERAL “OFF-SHORE FOUNDATIONS” THAT THEY EACH WILL MANAGE FOR AN ANNUAL SALARY TO PERPETUITY…
We were in bad shape with Horner. Now we’re in really deep!
What is this? Brazil? Where the next in line is worse than the politician we just removed?
GAH. Who’s after Hanabusa? Ambercrombie?
The next picture should show them smiling. Almost there now. Close.
The Horner Haters neglected to remember one of my favorite sayings “be careful what you wish for – it might come true!” Then again these forums are just for us powerless folks to blow off some steam and maybe Colleen can get’r done . . .
Honest question,
Has anyone ever said, “Hanabusa’s taking charge, this will turn out fine” ?
Because I’m with the “Horner was bad, this is worse” crowd.
Found an interesting article on Don Horner – “When life hands you challenges, you have two choices – you can be bitter or you can be better.”
http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/don-horner-first-hawaiian-bank-ceo-board-of-education-chairman-single-father/
I sense a great injustice done to this man by Caldwell.
wait till caldwell tries the horner wack on Hanabusa- garrens she going hit back
Catfight!
That fluff piece you cite came with a recording of violins in the background. Not once did the article talk about how can he be in charge of the Board of Education when he made dang sure both his kids attended top private school Iolani. Or how once he was HART chair, the Bombardier bid for the Oahu rail project got rejected on a technicality, yet Ansaldo was allowed to bid and has since won the contract when they themselves were NOT registered to do business in Hawaii and that was a requirement for the rail bid which should have disqualified them from bidding as well. Also the article you cite never mentioned the relation of Horner-> 1st Hwn Bank-> Bank BNP Paribas-> Finmecannica-> Ansaldo. Ansaldo has since gone bankrupt and was taken over from Hitachi, which is now being disputed. He ain’t no innocent ‘bystander’
How bout Fate Yanagi – Rap Reiplinger.
“Grumpy, Derp, and Sourpuss” pose for photo op.
Seriously SA, that is about the worst times photo snap ever.
Or maybe it catches how they really felt at that moment.
Would you expect them all to be laughing and smiling while announcing Horner resigned? Really?
What are they paid?……..or are they doing this for Aloha?
Volunteer work. It’s called “love”.
Yes, “love.”
Love of money, power, and connections.
Yes. “Envelopes of love”.
With all that money floating around, like billions, temptation.
Who said Hawaii is behind the mainland on everything?? We surely must be #1 in recycled politicians!!
Great choice.
Problem. Solved! /s
Did anyone see this BS coming ? Get rid of Horner (a successful retired CEO) and replace him with Hanabusa (a failed self-dealing politician).
Hanabusa & Matsumoto, we are screwed.
This is one of the same people who stole money from the ERS that City and State Employees were forced to contribute to. When ask about the complaints her reply was ” … we can do we what we want.” When asked about the possibility of a shortfall, her reply was ” we can just sell off assets or raise taxes.” Really. Is this who you want watching our money.
OMG, the fix was in.
It was only a matter of time that Hanabata was to be placed in a position of having more control and here it is, it was by design.
Bend over more Hawaii, “Jumping from the frying pan into the fire”. FIRE!
She does EVIL deeds!
Once a bright star……losing its brightness among the “darkest cloud ” ever to grace our State!
When stars collapse they become black holes, sucking the life out of everything around them.
great news. Hope his means an end to Ernie’s granstanding. He’s delaying rail. Fire Ernie.
If you want to fire the person who delayed rail, then your beef is with former city manager and current mayor Kirk Caldwell, who along with Mufi Hannemann gleefully and irresponsibly awarded contracts years too early that lead to multiple delays an and untold change orders.
Sounds like you want to fire Kirk Caldwell for all the delays that he’s caused.
If Kirk gets fired and is no longer mayor, sound like Wili is out of a job.
Mr. Mayor, you gotta stop!
Why Colleen Hanabusa?? I can understand the Democrats are taking care of their own. But a few years ago, when Hanabusa was running for office in Waianae, she said something that really startled me. She said people in Hawaii don’t mind having a Tax increase…..
You watch in the near future…Hanabusa will be asking the Legislature to increase the rail tax – AGAIN!!.
I have never been a Democratic party supporter, but former Governor Ben Cayatano was correct when said the rail will cost a lot more than projected. He and his group took it to court, where a Democratic appointed judge threw it out.
Now why would a Japanese hating racist want to have a Japanese name? Are you actually running for office?
If you have a problem with people of Japanese ancestry, that puts you at odds with about 80% of the local population. Witless. Good luck with your congress run.
Oh nooo…..
She will be the, “Fox guarding the henhouse”, along with the other HART board member William “Buzz” Hong who has been waiting for her. He is a former HPD officer…
Yup!! We all called it!!
Well, say goodbye to my home. It’s going to be taxed out of existence.
If you guys haven’t figured it out by now, it doesn’t matter what we say, feel or write. They going put in whoever they want. Almost untouchable once they get into office. That’s the key. Just remember who supports this mess and don’t vote them back into office. Any candidate who challenges this process has my ear and potential vote.
The only two that come to mind is Cayetano and Aiona. Both have their serious flaws but if they fix their problems and get the right campaign manager, either one of those two can be the next mayor of Honolulu and demand that all rail contractors release all their financials related to rail money and make the information public. You do that I guarantee you between the feds and Hawaii residents, the rail project will END because the both the Feds and the public will demand their money back. Right now ignorance is bliss and the reason why Grabby PURPOSELY keeps financial information secret. Aiona or Cayetano has every right as mayor and given the rail is a public works project to release ALL financials related to rail on how each dollar was spent and all of their project cost estimates, INCLUDING the true cost to build a new fossil fuel generating plant to power the train, the cost of electricity, which would easily amount to over one hundred million per year, which are the kind of numbers UH, DOE and the military pay HECO, the true cost to relocate all utilities, the true loss of roadways, parking spaces and building that must be condemned in the in-town route where the current train does NOT fit the route all the way to Ala Mo center without spending BILLION in modifications to make it “fit”.
Garanz she going make this route all the way to Ala Moana no matter how much money it will cost us! Rail ride from her Ko Olina villa in the morning, stop by her Kakaako condo, then continue to Ala Moana to do her shopping at the luxury stores. We all know that as she ran for the congressional seat. Yup, this is her mission.
The key is the Feds and Hanabusa has no power over them.