ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ

Hawaii senators seemed satisfied with the city’s explanation of the project’s nearly $1 billion shortfall and the possible ramifications of halting construction.

The Honolulu City Council needs to issue debt to help pay for ongoing construction even though there’s no guarantee on how to pay for the full price tag of the project.

Companies making at least $1 million on the Honolulu rail project are donating heavily to local politicians. Some of the biggest beneficiaries include Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Hawaii Gov. David Ige and their predecessors.

The rail project has been in the works for more than 10 years but city and HART officials still can’t — or won’t — say what the money has been spent on. Secrecy over tens of millions of dollars in payments to subcontractors is only one troubling aspect.

Given Hawaii’s political and decision-making reality, there’s no point fighting rail. But we should fight for traffic congestion solutions.

The Hawaii Legislature opens debate over Honolulu proposal with a three-hour briefing as other county mayors seek their own GET surcharge.

A decision not to touch federal bus money in the project’s budget could increase the projected shortfall by $210 million.

The Honolulu mayor will also be Sen. Hirono’s guest at the president’s State of the Union address.

Honolulu’s mayor should be front and center in the debate over whether to extend the general excise tax instead of leaving it up to an appointee.

The week began with incessant wind. Later, storm clouds developed over Police Chief Louis Kealoha and HART officials.