Embattled rail CEO says she’s been bullied, harassed by HART board
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Embattled rail CEO Lori Kahikina said Tuesday that she no longer wants the job if she continues to be bullied and harassed by the HART board.
“If I’m going to get beat up like that and I don’t know when it’s going to happen, nobody should have to work like that,” said Kahikina, on Hawaii News Now.
HNN asked if she feels bullied by some members of the board.
“Yes,” she replied.
But she wouldn’t publicly name board members.
“You can watch the video,” said Kahikina, referring to a heated exchanged last month during a HART board mmeeting. In that meeting HART board Chair Colleen Hanabusa and member Michele Chun Brunngraber got visibly frustrated with Kahikina over staffing issues.
“It basically brought to a head the frustrations the board has had for over a year regarding personnel, leadership and reporting/transparency,” said Brungrabber previously in a statement.
Regarding new allegations of bullying and harassment, Brungrabber said the board would get a statement, but needed to watch the interview and speak to the chair and corporate counsel.
Kahikina believes city policies on workplace harassment were violated, but she hasn’t filed a formal complaint. “Several of my employees have asked me can you please file, and I said I don’t know what good is going to come of it,” she told Hawaii News Now.
Kahikina earns $275,000 per year and her contract expires at the end of the year.
During an interview with Kahikina, got emotional after hearing board member Natalie Iwasa came to her defense. Iwasa, who was in the room during the interview, gave Kahikina a hug.
“It’s OK,” said Iwasa.
“I’m not good at that. I’m actually better at having the negative criticism against me,” said Kahikina, through tears. Meanwhile, Iwasa called the work environment “toxic.”
Rail CEO says her staff was ‘distraught,’ ‘outraged’ after clash with HART board
“It’s not good for the board, it’s not good for Lori,” Iwasa added. “It’s not good for HART or anybody and I think the mayor needs to step up and take some action.”
Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Hanabusa to the HART board and has been a supporter of Kahikina. Last month, a spokesperson said he was not going to comment on the situation.
When Hawaii News Now asked for his response Tuesday, a spokesperson issued this statement: “The mayor and managing director expect the HART leadership and HART Board to conduct themselves professionally at all times and put the project ahead of personal differences. We also believe this matter needs to be resolved in HART and we are taking steps to facilitate a resolution of differences.”
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