Honolulu Light Rail to Open in June

The city’s first light rail line will finally begin service after more than a half century of planning.

1 minute read

May 18, 2023, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of white Honolulu light railtrain speeding past landscape

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation / Rendering of Honolulu light rail train

The long-awaited Honolulu light rail line is set to open in the last week of June, marking the city’s first train service, report Catherine Cruz and Sophia McCullough for Hawaii Public Radio. “With 22,000 permitted dwelling units on the way in Central and West Oʻahu, development is not going to stop, [director of the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services Roger Morton] said. That means more stress on Oʻahu's transportation infrastructure.”

The Skyline light rail system has been in development since 1968, but encountered a series of setbacks. Now, the train will provide a new transit option for residents and visitors in the growing city. Trains will run every 10 minutes between 5am and 7pm on weekdays, with service starting at 8am on weekends.

Monday, May 15, 2023 in Hawaii Public Radio

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

7 hours ago - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

May 18 - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

May 18 - WHYY