Natalie Iwasa Joins The HART Board
The government-spending watchdog and frequent rail critic known as “Bike Mom” will lend an independent voice, the House Speaker said.
For years, Natalie Iwasa has attended Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board meetings. She often testifies on items, particularly those involving finances, and she’s even pointed out errors in the agency’s reports from time to time.
Now, the certified public accountant and frequent critic of the transit project known by many as “Bike Mom” will be joining the HART board.
Iwasa will fill one of the Hawaii Legislature’s four non-voting seats. House Speaker Scott Saiki announced the appointment earlier this week.
“The City and County of Honolulu’s rail project poses a significant financial concern and there must be more scrutiny over HART decision-making,” Saiki said in a statement Monday. “Ms. Iwasa is an independent, critical thinker who is knowledgeable and who has formed her own opinions on HART and mass transit. Ms. Iwasa’s official engagement on the Board will ensure increased accountability and transparency at HART.”
Iwasa’s seat opened up when Lynn McCrory, a former House appointee, filled a voting seat on the board that had opened up. The two House and two Senate seats were created as part of the 2017 rail bailout package, valued at some $2.4 billion.
The goal was to provide the Legislature with more direct oversight of the project, although expanding the board to 15 total seats has also caused occasional quorum and voting issues for the body.
Iwasa’s term will run indefinitely.
