METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hawaii’s HART gets high marks for tree preservation

A nonprofit group praises the efforts of the transit system to transplant up to 900 trees that will need to be removed to make way for the 20-mile rail line. HART also moved rail columns by a few feet to accommodate some trees that have been determined to be too valuable to move.

May 7, 2014
Hawaii’s HART gets high marks for tree preservation

Photo courtesy Pauk via Wikimedia Commons

1 min to read


Photo courtesy Pauk via Wikimedia Commons

HONOLULU — KITV4 reported that The Outdoor Circle, a nonprofit environmental group, gave the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) high marks for measures it is taking to preserve up to 900 trees that will need to be removed to make way for the 20-mile rail line.

RELATED:SMART to explore options for fate of rare tree

Marti Townsend, the Outdoor Circle's executive director, told KITV4 that HART has done “an excellent job” working to ensure that the trees they transplant survive.

KITV4 added that according to a report filed with the City Council, the transit system plans to move about 500 trees along the rail line. In the first phase of the project, 300 trees have been removed and 250 of those have been transplanted elsewhere with a 90% survival rate.

Additionally, some trees that have been determined to be too valuable to lose have resulted in HART moving rail columns by a few feet to accommodate them. For the full story, click here.  

More Rail

Governor Moore in a ceremony placing the last track
Railby StaffMay 8, 2026

Maryland Governor Installs Final Purple Line Rail During Tour

The moment marks the completion of 193,100 feet of track linking Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.

Read More →
PATCO's New Control Center
Managementby StaffMay 7, 2026

PATCO Opens New Operations Control Center

The new center serves as the central hub for monitoring and managing PATCO train operations, communications, customer service coordination, incident response, and overall operational oversight across the transit system.

Read More →
VIA Rail Canada logo
Railby StaffMay 7, 2026

VIA Rail reports Stable Ridership, Rising Revenue Amid Ongoing Challenges

Despite these pressures, VIA Rail is reporting that total revenues increased to $514.8 million as more travelers took advantage of the wide range of options available through the corporation’s new reservation system.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SEPTA's advertisement for multi-rider feature.
Technologyby StaffMay 7, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Introduces Multi-Rider Feature for Contactless Payments

Up until now, this feature was only available when using a SEPTA Key card.

Read More →
A Waev Gem vehicle with a ramp deployed.

ABC Teams with Waev, Knorr-Bremse in Boston Top Biz Briefs

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Books with graduation mortar board
Managementby StaffMay 6, 2026

New Chicago Scholarship Program Targets Student Pathways to Construction Careers

Created in partnership with Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners, the contractor for CTA’s historic $5.7 billion RLE project, the new $250,000 scholarship program will provide three students a year from 2026 to 2030 with $3,000 scholarships.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Steve Goodreau
Technologyby Alex RomanMay 6, 2026

Trackless Rapid Transit: Hype or Viable Option?

Steve Goodreau of WSP explores the technology’s promise, limitations and where it may fit in the evolving transit landscape.

Read More →
Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Education logo over railroad tracks background, representing rail safety awareness initiatives.
Railby News/Media ReleaseMay 4, 2026

Operation Lifesaver Awards Rail Safety Outreach Funds in 12 States

Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.

Read More →
Caltrain trains on tracks
Railby StaffMay 1, 2026

Caltrain Survey Shows Record-High Rider Approval

The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person working on a bus
ManagementMay 1, 2026

Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most

Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.

Read More →