HIRONO MEETS WITH SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION NOMINEE, DISCUSSES HONOLULU RAIL & KALAUPAPA ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE

Washington, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono met this week with U.S. Secretary of Transportation nominee and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. During the meeting, Foxx and Hirono discussed the importance of Honolulu’s rail system, for which the city secured a full funding grant agreement in December 2012. Foxx, noting how important Charlotte’s light rail expansion was to the city’s economic growth, noted his support for Honolulu’s critical infrastructure project. The two also discussed continuing to ensure quality, essential air service to Kalaupapa, with Mayor Foxx noting the importance of such service for the isolated peninsula’s vulnerable population.

“It was a pleasure to meet Mayor Foxx and discuss some of Hawaii’s transportation priorities,” Hirono said. “We discussed the Honolulu Rail Project, which has the commitment for federal funding through the recently signed full funding grant agreement. Honolulu will benefit from Mayor Foxx’s experience with rail, and this project will help Honolulu families and workers by providing transportation options and traffic relief. He also understood the importance of essential air service for Kalaupapa. Reliable and affordable air transportation service for this community is a lifeline. I look forward to working closely with Mayor Foxx after he is confirmed as our next Transportation Secretary.”

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation unanimously approved Foxx’s nomination, which heads soon to the full Senate.