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

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

New York MTA subway station

Off-Peak is the New On-Peak

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

May 19, 2023 - Curbed

Nighttime view of Tacoma, Washington skyline

Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’

The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.

May 26 - The Urbanist

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26 - U.S. News And World Report

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26 - The New York Times

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.