Fund hdot admin expenses training and technical support for the rural transit agencies purchase of replacement buses county of kauai transit agency (CKTA) and operating assistance (maui department…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Hawaii Department of Transportation (HiDOT) $5,963,547 in Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) funding on August 27, 2025, with a completion date of March 31, 2030. HiDOT administers the grant to provide capital, planning, and operating assistance to rural transit agencies across Hawaii's islands. The award funds the purchase of replacement buses by the County of Kauai Transportation Agency (CKTA) to improve fleet reliability and efficiency; operating assistance to support fixed-route transit services provided by the County of Maui Department of Transportation (MDO) and County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency (HMTA); and payroll for project administration staff overseeing preventative maintenance and mobility management at HMTA.

HiDOT provides grant administration, oversight, and technical assistance across all subrecipients, including funding for Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) training activities designed to equip employees of the state and county transit agencies with enhanced skills and knowledge. The grant directly benefits residents on the islands of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii who depend on public transit for medical, employment, education, and other essential services. The funding supports continued reliable transit operations in rural service areas while building organizational capacity through workforce development and preventative maintenance initiatives.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to fund hdot admin expenses training and technical support for the rural transit agencies purchase of replacement buses county of kauai transit agency (CKTA) and operating assistance (maui department of transportation (MDO) hawaii mass transit agency (HMTA).

Activities

County of kauai transportation agency (CKTA) will purchase replacement buses for their fixed route fleet.county of maui department of transportation (MDO) will use the funds for operating assistance for their fixed route fleet.county of hawaii mass transit agency (HMTA) will use funds for operating assistance and payroll for project administration staff overseeing preventative maintenance and mobility management.hawaii DOT (HDOT) will administer the grant provide oversight and technical assistance and manage funding for rtap activities to the counties.

Expected outcomes

Improved reliability and efficiency of the county of kauai transportation agencys (CKTA) transit buses. *support existing transit services by providing operating assistance to the rural transit agencies on the islands of hawaii and maui*provide training opportunities for hdot and the rural transit agencies of kauai hawaii and maui to better equip employees*enable the hdot to perform oversight responsibilities of the grant.

Intended beneficiaries

The county of kauai transportation agency (CKTA) serves residents on the island of kauai. The county of maui department of transportation (MDOT) serves the residents on the island of maui. The county of hawaii mass transit agency (HMTA) serves residents on the island of hawaii. Riders on the islands of kauai hawaii and maui rely on the bus to travel for medical employment education and other needs will benefit from the continued service the transit agency provides. Rtap funds will benefit the county transit agencies that serve rural areas and hdot.

Subrecipient activities

Hdot will administer the grant provide oversight and technical assistance and manage funding for rtap activities to the counties.hdot is suballocating funds to rural county transit agencies for the following activities.county of kauai transportation agency (CKTA) to purchase replacement buses for the agencys fixed route and paratransit fleets.county of maui department of transportation (MDOT) and county of hawaii mass transit agency (HMTA) for operating assistance of the agencys fixed route fleets. HMTA fleet includes deviation.county of hawaii mass transit agency (HMTA) payroll for project management preventative maintenance and mobility management .