Hitachi Rail, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), and the Department of Transportation Services (DTS), has announced the opening of Segment 2 of Skyline, the first fully autonomous urban light railway system in the United States.
The new extension adds four stations—Makalapa Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Lelepaua Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Ahua Lagoon Drive, and Kahauiki Kalihi Transit Center—expanding access across key hubs and enhancing mobility for residents and visitors alike. The project represents the largest public infrastructure investment in Hawaii’s history, marking a major step toward sustainable, island-wide public transport for Oʻahu.
Connecting key destinations across Oʻahu
The expanded Skyline service will connect major employment, transport, and community hubs across the island:
- Makalapa Station will provide a faster and more reliable link for thousands of military and civilian personnel working at Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Hickam Air Force Base.
- Lelepaua Station will connect directly to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, benefiting over 10,000 airport employees and offering travellers a convenient alternative to road travel. A new express bus service will also connect Skyline riders directly to Waikiki, improving access to one of Honolulu’s busiest destinations.
- Kahauiki Middle Street Transit Center Station will serve as a key transfer hub between Skyline and the city’s public bus network, accessible through a single fare card. The integration aims to reduce commute times and support more efficient, multimodal journeys between homes, schools, and workplaces.
A Milestone for Honolulu
A grand opening ceremony was held at Kahauiki Middle Street Transit Center Station, featuring an inaugural train ride from Halawa Aloha Stadium Station through the new Segment 2 stations. Guests were welcomed with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and remarks from city and project leaders.
“Today marks another milestone in Skyline’s revolutionary impact on Oahu. Residents and visitors will now be able to reach the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, two major destinations that serve as powerful economic, employment, and transportation drivers. Meanwhile, each additional Skyline segment unlocks incredible opportunities to address Oʻahu’s housing shortage. The City’s Transit Oriented Development plan will pay exponential dividends by creating housing for our residents at strategic locations along the rail line. Skyline is an investment in the future of the City and County of Honolulu and will prove itself to be a game changer for this island over the long term. It has taken bold vision, leadership, and dedication to get Skyline to this point, and it will require those same qualities to complete the task of moving Oahu into the future,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said.
What’s next for Skyline
Passenger services on the new Segment 2 will officially begin on 16 October 2025, with free public ride days on 18 and 19 October. The expansion brings Skyline’s total route to 13 stations across Segments 1 and 2.
Looking ahead, Segment 3 is scheduled for completion by 2031, adding six further stations and connecting Oʻahu’s western corridor directly to downtown Honolulu.
Skyline continues to redefine sustainable mobility across Hawaii, offering a reliable, zero-emission transport alternative that connects communities, reduces congestion, and supports the island’s long-term environmental goals.
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