State sues SIDA
over late taxi fees
The state is going after SIDA of Hawaii for more than $758,000 in concession fees allegedly owed for running the taxi service at Honolulu Airport.
The lawsuit, filed in Circuit Court yesterday by the Department of the Attorney General, said that as of Jan. 31, SIDA was in arrears in the amount of $758,763.
SIDA abruptly closed its offices off Lagoon Drive in May, leaving dozens of drivers jobless. The closure occurred less than four months after the state terminated its contract Jan. 31.
In 1998 the state Department of Transportation awarded SIDA the contract to manage taxi service at the airport from February 1999 to January 2003. SIDA agreed to pay the state concession fees in periodic payments totaling $1.5 million over a four-year period.
SIDA began performing its duties under the contract beginning in February 1999 but has neglected to pay despite demands for payment.
SIDA officials could not be reached for comment.