A sexual assault allegation Sunday involving an Uber driver once again raises the issue of how extensive regulations and background checks should be for ride-hailing and taxi drivers — or anyone who provides public transport.

Currently, drivers for ride-hailing companies on Oahu are not licensed, unlike cab drivers.

Luke Wadahara has been charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault, accused of attacking a 16-year-old victim whom he picked up while working as an Uber driver. The victim was able to free herself and ran home where she and her mother found the suspect’s profile on the Uber profile webpage and then looked him up on Facebook, a court affidavit said. Whether ride-hailing or taxi-cabbing, let the rider beware.

Blood Bank issue still off track

The ongoing dispute between the Blood Bank of Hawaii and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation continues to frustrate all parties involved, it seems.

HART wants to pay roughly $422,000 to take a piece of the Blood Bank’s Dillingham Boulevard land for rail construction through eminent domain.

The Blood Bank, claiming the rail project will force it to move in order to protect its accreditation, wants $4.8 million for its entire building.

The Blood Bank, of course, provides a unique and irreplaceable service to Hawaii’s health. And the rail project needs to move forward without more unnecessary delays.

It’s imperative that all sides, including the city, resolve this problem.