06-02-2025
Businesses impacted by Rail Transit Project frustrated over $10k grant eligibility
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kalihi businesses impacted by construction from the Honolulu Rail Transit Project can apply to get $10,000 from the city by Friday, Feb. 21 but workers said the money doesn't cover all they've rail project has been an issue for many businesses, especially those impacted by construction on Dillingham Boulevard. Shopowners complain traffic deters customers from the shopping plaza.
'For a regular customer coming in once in a while, just a lot of hassle,' said Elvin Lau, Owner of Elvin's Bakery. 'They change all the lanes every time from left to right, right to left. So it's confusing everybody.'
Deadline to apply for rail-related mitigation extended
Businesses losing revenue because of the project can apply for the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund, a $10,000 grant, to help pay for expenses.
'[It's] to support smaller businesses that have annual revenues of less than $750,000, have 15 or fewer employees, and are totally owned by residents of the city and county,' said Andy Kawano, the City's Director of Budget and Fiscal Services.
Shopowners stated it might not be worth going through the trouble because of eligibility requirements.
'$10,000 right now? Rent is $20,000 every month. We have to pay maybe $1,000, $200 for help to set up all the information and stuff. We lose money more than what you get,' said Lau.
The budget for the next fiscal year will be approved in June. If there is enough funding to keep the grant, officials said they are considering expanding eligibility requirements.
'When we go back and revisit the parameters of the program, there may be ways that we can look at what those required documents are and to make sure that these are things that businesses can readily find and upload,' stated City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam.
The City approved five applicants out of 29 as of Wednesday, Feb. 5. To help small businesses with the application process, the City extended its deadline to Friday, Feb. 21.
'There are about 17 applications that had been returned to applicants. We thought that maybe two more weeks would really help applicants to properly gather what they need,' said Kawano.
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