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One of the three top leaders of the Honolulu rail project has abruptly resigned to move back to the mainland for family reasons, an unexpected loss that is raising major concerns among the members of the board of directors for the project.

Board members described former as critical to the success of the $9.9 billion project, and his departure comes as the city is midway though a solicitation to award a contract to build the elevated rail line and stations through the city center.

That “City Center Guideway and Stations” contract or CCGS is expected to cost about $1.3 billion, and is a vastly complex undertaking. It is the last major construction contract for the project, and will finally extend the rail line into the city’s densely developed Kahihi and downtown neighborhoods.

Meddings oversaw rail construction and has been deeply involved in the planning and procurement process for the CCGS contract, which has already been repeatedly delayed.

Board members said Meddings’ abrupt departure was prompted by the recent death of one member of his mainland family, and the serious illness of a second family member.

HART CEO Lori Kaihikina declined a request for an interview Friday, but HART issued a written statement explaining that “Nate Meddings and his family made a personal decision to relocate back to the mainland for family reasons. Deputy Project Director Vance Tsuda was promoted to the Project Director position.”

Kahikina told the HART Human Resources Committee on Friday the Federal Transit Administration wants Kahikina to shadow Tsuda at all technical meetings “to make sure that he’s comfortable.”

“So they just asked me to take a more intimate role, temporarily,” she said. “But there was no panic. Disappointment, of course. And of course, condolences.”

Hill International Inc., a consultant that monitors the Honolulu rail project for the FTA, has repeatedly flagged problems with filling vacancies in critical positions at HART, and Meddings’ departure raised new concerns for the board.

Board member Michele Chun Brunngraber said Meddings’ departure was a “big loss” because he brought both technical expertise and “esprit de corps” to the project team.

Colleen Hanabusa, chairwoman of the HART board, questioned Kahikina at length on Friday about whether Kahikina offered Meddings options such as taking leave or working remotely, and whether she referred Meddings to HART’s human resources staff to explore the possibilities.

Kahikina replied that she did not refer Meddings to her HR staff because “he made his decision already, so I wasn’t sure what else I could do to help him.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t think it was in the best interest of this project to talk to him about it, and maybe say, ‘Hey, calm down, we know it’s a difficult time, let’s talk about this?'” Hanabusa said.

Kahikina again said Meddings had already made his decision, and Hanabusa raised her voice loudly to argue. “That’s not my point, Lori. My point is, he’s somebody who’s critical to this project.”

Board member Anthony Aalto added that “I’m getting the impression that we all feel, we all acknowledge that Nate was a critical part of this project, that losing him increases the risk of failure for the project, and I guess the question that’s on the line in all of this is, did you do everything you possibly could to get him to stay? And I think that’s the concern, that you didn’t.”

Kahikina replied that she met with Meddings four times, but he seemed calm and “him and his wife made a decision.”

Hanabusa then asked Kahikina if she is willing to reach out to Meddings to explore whether he is willing to reconsider quitting. Kahikina said she could try, but Brunngraber interrupted.

“She already gave his job away. What are you talking about? How are you going to do that?” Brunngraber asked.

“Well, you know, things can be undone,” Hanabusa said.

But Kahikina replied: “It would be difficult for me to undo a promotion to Vance.”