Building Industry Magazine - November 2013 - (Page 66)

NewsBeat Late Senator Honored for Work on Rail Transit Project Accepting the APTA Award on Senator Inouye's behalf were, from left: Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Executive Director and CEO Daniel A. Grabauskas; Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell; and Jennifer Sabas, former chief of staff for Sen. Inouye. Presenting the award was Chris Boylan of the General Contractors Association of New York (far right). The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye in October with the APTA 2013 Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in championing the Honolulu rail transit project. APTA selected Inouye for his tireless efforts "to improve mobility and seek transportation solutions for Hawaii's residents and visitors." Inouye was influential in securing federal funding for the Honolulu rail project. The Senator passed away on December 17, 2012, two days before the City and County of Honolulu and the Federal Transit Administration signed an historic Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA). The FFGA secures $1.55 billion in federal funding for the construction of Honolulu's rail transit system. "He worked to build critical roads, modernized airports, expanded bus service, obtained infrastructure funding and most recently with the Obama administration and Federal Transit Administration to secure federal funding for the Honolulu rail transit project," said the APTA awards committee in nominating Senator Inouye for the prestigious award. Want to Increase Your companY's profIt In 2014? Call to See How We Can Help You. Garrett J. Sullivan, President * ph: 808.478-2564 e-mail: GSullivan@SullivanHI.com * www.SullivanHI.com 66 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | NOVEMBER 2013 Grabauskas said it was Senator Inouye's persistence and visionary leadership that kept the promise of rail moving forward. "Senator Inouye was one of the greatest champions of public transit and would be gratified by this Distinguished Service Award," Grabauskas said. "Because of his tireless efforts as Hawaii's senior senator, the Honolulu rail transit project will bring transit options and relief to thousands of Oahu commuters and create a stateof-the-art transportation system that future generations can benefit from." The 20-mile Honolulu rail transit system will be the first driverless light metro rail system in the U.S., running from East Kapolei to Ala Moana Center. Mayor Caldwell said it was Senator Inouye's long-term vision for Oahu that made construction of the rail project possible. "I have worked with Senator Inouye for many years and can attest to his tenacity, vision, dedication and commitment in ensuring that Oahu builds the best, safest and most reliable public transportation system," Caldwell said. "For decades, Senator Inouye was a staunch and compassionate advocate of public transportation on behalf of the people of Hawaii. He was a man of vision, believing in our future, and was a true public servant, giving his time, energy and goodwill to delivering transportation benefits that have benefited generations of our island residents." In addition to his invaluable contributions to the Honolulu rail project, Inouye, as a ranking member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committees, helped introduce an authorization bill (2006 Maritime, Rail and Public Transportation Security Act) that provided $3.5 billion for transit security, and combined transit, port, cargo and rail security provisions. He also cosponsored several important rail-related measures, including the 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. http://www.SullivanHI.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - November 2013

MAUI How upbeat is the current situation on Maui?
PACIFIC BUILDING TRADE EXPO PROGRAM the entire event program
HAWAII’S LEADERS IN SOLAR a special advertising section features
NEWS BEAT Kinsella Heads Pacific Region
Late Senator Honored for Work on Rail
CRW Hawaii Celebrates 20 Years
Solar Power World’s 10 Best in Hawaii
DPP Wins Innovation Award for Online ePlans
Allied Builders Oversees Haleiwa Store Lots
Southland Mole JV Wins Sewer Tunnel Contract
PAMCA Installs New Board
HART Back on Track
dck Presents Capital Solutions
DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Corner & Datebook
Contracts Awarded
Low Bids
Best Practices Partnering: The Way to Build It Right from Ground Zero
Spotlight on Success: Ward Village Shops–Phase II
Concept to Completion: Kapalama Shopping Center Renovation
New Products
Newsmakers

Building Industry Magazine - November 2013