Non-Discrimination Policies
The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is committed to ensuring that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any DTS program or activity, whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not.
Title VI Program
As a direct recipient of Federal Transit Administration funds and a subrecipient of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds, the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable non-discrimination laws and regulations. For information on DTS Transportation Mobility (Public Transit) Title VI Program and Non-Discrimination Complaint Form, click here.
What is Title VI?
Title VI is established to ensure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any DTS program or activity.
Who can file a complaint?
Any person who believes that he or she, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, may file a written complaint with the DTS’ Title VI Coordinator and/or to the City’s Equal Opportunity Office (EO Office) at the below address. Complaints associated with FHWA funding will be submitted to DTS’s Title VI Coordinator and/or Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation/Office of Civil Rights; FHWA/Office of Civil Rights, Hawaiʻi Division; or the USDOT/FHWA, Office of Civil Rights at the following addresses.
Where to file a Title VI complaint?
City and County of Honolulu
Christopher Clark, DTS Title VI Coordinator
Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813
c.clark@honolulu.gov
808-768-8345
808-768-6987 (Fax)
Denise Tsukayama, Equal Opportunity Administrator
Equal Opportunity Office
City and County of Honolulu
925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 180
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817
dtsukayama@honolulu.gov
808-768-8505
State Transportation Agency
Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights
200 Rodgers Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96819
808-831-7924
Federal Highways Administration
Federal Highways Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights, Hawaiʻi Division
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96850
kelly.okumura@dot.gov
808-541-2304
Federal Highways Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
8th Floor E81-105
Washington, DC 20590
CivilRights.FHWA@dot.gov
202-366-0693
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights, Region IX
90 7th Street, Suite 15-300
San Francisco, CA 94103-6701
Title VI Program Downloads
Title VI Policy Statement – DTS 2021
FHWA Title VI Program Plan – DTS 2017
Public Transit Title VI Program – DTS 2025
Compliant Forms – Public Transit
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan – DTS-TMD 2025
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
As a recipient of federal funds, the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26 (49 CFR Part 26). This is to ensure non-discrimination in the awarding and administration of USDOT-assisted contracts by providing a level playing field for DBEs to compete fairly.
What is a DBE?
A DBE is a for-profit small business that is at least 51% owned, operated, and fully controlled by one or more individuals who are members of a socially and economically disadvantaged group. The business cannot exceed $28.48 million in annual gross receipts, averaged over three years, and shall meet the Small Business Administration size standard for each work classification in which certification is requested. The personal net worth of a DBE owner shall be less than $2.047 million, not including the owner’s ownership interest in the firm, and equity in the primary residence.
How do I become a DBE?
To become a DBE, you must be certified by the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT). Contact them at: http://hidot.hawaii.gov/administration/ocr/dbe/
The HDOT DBE Directory is available at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/administration/ocr/dbe/dbe-directory
DBE News
- On April 24, 2025, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Master Agreement (MA33) was released. Among other requirements, the MA33 included the following clause: “the Recipient will cooperate with Federal officials in the enforcement of Federal law, including cooperating with and not impeding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Federal offices and components of the Department of Homeland Security in the enforcement of Federal immigration law”. See FTA Master Agreement v34 11.26.25 below.
- On October 3, 2025, the DBE Interim Final Rule (IFR) eliminated race- and sex-based presumptions for establishing eligibility in the DBE program and requires individualized proof of social and economic disadvantage. All companies previously DBE-certified under the old rules must undergo a reevaluation and submit a new application. To become a DBE, the company must be certified by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Transportation (HDOT). Contact HDOT at: http://hidot.Hawaii.gov/administration/ocr/dbe/.
- FTA Master Agreement v34 11.26.25 (MA34). The MA34 removes the grant condition requiring cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement in MA33. Any such conditions in agreements entered into before 11/26/25 are no longer enforceable.
What are the contracting opportunities in the City and County of Honolulu?
Contact the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services at: http://www.honolulu.gov/pur
DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO)
Christopher Clark (DBELO)
Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King St., 3rd Floor
Honolulu. Hawaii 96813
c.clark@honolulu.gov
DBE Program Downloads:
DBE Policy Statement
(Revised October 2025)
Equal Employment Opportunity Program
The City and County of Honolulu (“City”) receives federal assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). As a condition of receiving this assistance, the Department of Transportation Services (DTS), which is an executive branch of the City, is required to comply with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statutes and regulations in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) FTA Circular 4704.1A. DTS has established a Transit-Related Employees EEO Program Plan for those employees in transit-related positions.
What is an EEO program?
DTS has established an EEO Program to eliminate barriers and to promote equal opportunity in employment. No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any project, program, or activity funded in whole or in part through federal assistance.
Who can file a complaint?
Any person who believes that he or she, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class, may file a written complaint with the DTS EEO Officer, City’s Equal Opportunity Office, and/or the FTA Office of Civil Rights.
How to file a discrimination complaint?
Complainants may submit the City’s complaint form, located below under the EEO Program Downloads, to the following persons:
Christopher Clark, DTS EEO Officer
Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
650 South King Street, 3rd Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
c.clark@honolulu.gov
808-768-8345
Denise Tsukayama, Equal Opportunity Administrator
Equal Opportunity Office
City and County of Honolulu
925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 180
Honolulu, HI 96817
dtsukayama@honolulu.gov
808-768-8505
Federal Transit Administration, Region 9
Office of Civil Rights
San Francisco Federal Building
90 7th Street
Suite 15-300
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-734-9490
415-734-9489 (Fax)
EEO Program Downloads:
EEO Policy Statement
(Revised May 2021)
Transit Related Employees EEO Program Plan
(Revised August 2021)
Employment Discrimination – Complaint Form
(Revised June 25, 2024)