Honolulu Halts Rail Construction In Light of Supreme Court Ruling

That’s the latest according to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, which just won a lawsuit against the city of Honolulu for starting construction before doing the necessary archeological surveys regarding Native Hawaiian burials.

Attorney David Kimo Frankel met with City and rail officials this afternoon. His office sent out the following summary: 

“It is our understanding that the City has halted construction of the rail project. The City would like to:  (1) complete a few short-term tasks for public safety (e.g., backfilling a trench) (2) continue longer-term maintenance activities (e.g., erosion control measures) (3) complete the archaeological inventory survey and (4) miscellaneous activities.  The City is currently working on a list that would describe these activities with specificity.  Attorneys for Paulette Kaleikini and the City are in discussions regarding whether any of these activities should be allowed to proceed.

For all intents and purposes, construction of the project has been halted although there may be some narrowly tailored, low-impact exceptions.”

Read our related coverage: 

- Rail Derailed?  Hawaii Supreme Court Rules Against Honolulu

At the rail groundbreaking in Feb. 2011.