WHAT //
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) will begin tree pruning and removals along Halekauwila Street in preparation for upcoming guideway construction.
WHEN //
Beginning September 8, 2026, for approximately one month, Monday through Friday and weekends as needed
WHERE //
Halekauwila Street between Richards Street and Cooke Street
DETAILS //
HART will begin tree pruning and removals in preparation for upcoming guideway construction. During this process, the public should anticipate intermittent rolling lane closures and parking restrictions around the work area.
After thorough review of the design of the elevated guideway through the Halekauwila Street corridor, and in close coordination with The Outdoor Circle and certified arborists, HART has identified which trees need to be pruned or removed to allow construction to safely advance through the area.
HART’s certified arborists have undertaken a full census of the 64 trees along Halekauwila Street in the area of the project and have determined that 14 need to be removed including one royal poinciana tree, two monkeypod trees, and several other smaller common street trees, with the remaining trees to be pruned or preserved and remain in place. HART’s arborists have confirmed that the trees identified for pruning are in good health, resilient, and are expected to recover once the pruning is complete. To help maintain the verdant, welcoming character of the corridor, HART will plant new trees in nearby areas throughout the alignment as construction progresses to replace any trees that are fully removed. Additional pruning and removals may be required as crews work to establish the necessary clearance.
All contractors involved in this process are trained and fully aware of all state and federal regulations related to the protection of nesting birds, particularly Honolulu’s official bird, the Manu-o-Kū, or white tern, and will follow all required protocol associated with active nests.
Similar to the trees on other sections of the project, the wood will be donated to nonprofit organizations that support Hawaiian culture and arts. These groups include the Pa‘i Foundation, Kalihi Pālama Culture and Arts Society, Kalihi-Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club, and Kamehameha Schools. The repurposed wood will be used for community-based purposes including artwork, educational workshops, gifts, and awards.
DETAILS //
The traffic pattern that was installed in March along Dillingham Boulevard between Middle Street and Puʻuhale Road will be extended further east up to the Waiakamilo Road intersection as contractor Tutor Perini begins additional column and guideway construction on the Dillingham corridor.
This adjustment does not involve additional lane closures; it simply separates the travel lanes from the work zone with the installation of barriers.
The remainder of Dillingham Boulevard, up to Kaʻaahi Street will undergo a similar transition as utility work is completed through the end of the year.
The current left turn restrictions will remain in place. While some temporary driveway closures along Dillingham will be required, access to all properties will be maintained through alternative entry points along Colburn Street and adjacent side streets.
IMAGES //
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These images are examples of repurposed wood from earlier phases of the rail project.