Key HART executive resigns

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will be looking for its third director of planning, permitting and right of way since November 2016 following the resignation of Abbey Mayer.

As a key second-level manager, one of Mayer’s duties was the unenviable task of negotiating with — and sometimes initiating condemnation proceedings against — owners of properties along the 20-mile rail line.

Mayer, who informed the HART board of his decision last week, will work his last day May 10. He was first hired by the HART board in December 2016.

In an email obtained by the Hono­lulu Star-Advertiser, Mayer thanked city officials for helping him do his job and reaffirmed his support for the controversial $9 billion East Kapolei-to-Ala Moana project. “My belief in the environ­men­t-

al, social and economic benefits that our rail system will provide to the residents and visitors of Hawai‘i has never wavered,” Mayer wrote.

He did not give a reason for his departure. HART Executive Director Andrew Robbins said Mayer cited personal reasons.

“For the past 16 months, Abbey has admirably led the division through times both rewarding and challenging,” Robbins said in a statement. Deputy Director of Right of Way Richard Lewallen will serve as acting director, Robbins said.

Mayer, a onetime director of the Office of State Planning, replaced Jesse Souki, who left after just over a year on the job to take the position of executive director of the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Souki was first hired by HART in November 2015.