Statement from Council Chair Waters and Councilmember Cordero

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 4, 2021

Statement from Council Chair Waters and Councilmember Cordero

Affirming support for current HART board nominee

Chair Tommy Waters

“I appreciate the voices of my colleagues in sharing their concerns today. The appropriate place for this discussion was in the Transportation Committee, where at the last meeting, the Committee members voted unanimously to advance the confirmation of Anthony Aalto.”  

“We have had no shortage of construction industry insiders on the HART board for many years. Given the string of construction defects and growing HART budget shortfall, it seems obvious that a new direction and an outside perspective is required. We need more attention to detail, more transparency, more understanding of the board members’ kuleana to the project. At the Transportation committee meeting, nominee Anthony Aalto showed a deep depth of knowledge about the rail project and also made it very clear that he would use his watchdog, investigative journalist expertise, to advocate for the taxpayers, and I support and stand by the Committee’s unanimous vote of support for his nomination.”

Councilmember Radiant Cordero, Chair of Committee on Transportation

“Oʻahu’s residents have entrusted HART with the Charter obligation to complete rail to Ala Moana. Their hopes and dreams of a better quality of life; homes they can afford; and smart urban development that keeps the country country, are responsibilities that all HART board members must carry. Mr. Aalto and I do not agree on everything, but I know him to be a man of integrity, who will ask tough questions, keep the project team accountable, and serve our residents well.”

“I respect my colleagues’ concerns; and during my Transportation Committee and public hearing, we welcomed robust discussion and opportunity for amendments to all members. The members of the Transportation Committee took the deliberation very seriously, asked tough questions of the nominee, and the result was a unanimous vote of confidence for Mr. Aalto. The Council deserves to have a HART board representative who is committed to upholding getting rail past Middle Street, to Ala Moana, and focusing on improving and completing the project.”

Honolulu City Council Chair and Presiding Officer Tommy Waters represents Council District 4, which includes Hawaiʻi Kai, Kuliʻouʻou, Niu Valley, ʻĀina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani 

Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, portions of Kapahulu, Diamond Head, Black Point, Waikīkī and Ala Moana Beach Park. He also serves as Chair of the Council Committee on Executive Management.

Honolulu City Councilmember Radiant Cordero represents Council District 7 which includes Kalihi, lwilei, Kalihi Kai, Māpunapuna, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Hickam, Foster Village, Ford Island and Sand Island. She also serves as Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation, Sustainability and Health.

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