As early as 2005, the Oahu Island Burial Council (OIBC) raised red flags about the elevated heavy rail project affecting Hawaiian burials.

Three years later, after learning of the city’s plans, the OIBC protested the selected rail alignment because it would collide with burial concentrations.

Also objecting were the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hui Malama i Na Kupuna O Hawaii Nei, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Hawaiian families.

But city planners did not listen.

A growing chorus implored transit officials to shift the route, thereby preventing conflict, costly litigation and project modifications once burials were encountered.

Despite these warnings and pleas, the railway is still headed straight for what could be called "Burials Central."

Since 1990, more than 800 burials were encountered in Honolulu’s urban corridor — an area bordered by River, King and Keeaumoku streets and Ala Moana boulevard.

Before Western contact and into the 19th century, sand dunes in this area were burial grounds where ohana would kanu, or plant, the remains of loved ones.

Mana concentrated in iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) would imbue the aina, spiritually nourishing the living community, perpetually connecting kupuna, aina and ohana.

But following two centuries of foreign impacts, many ohana were forced from ancestral lands and unmarked burials lacked protection. Many were dug up. Hundreds of others were built upon, leaving iwi kupuna to continue their repose in Honolulu burial sands.

Fortunately, hard-fought laws now safeguard burials as significant historic sites.

Accordingly, state and federal laws require completion of an archaeological inventory survey (AIS) to identify and avoid historic properties — such as burials — before granting approval for the elevated railway.

Despite vehement objections, however, federal, state and city officials approved construction without first completing an AIS.

This misguided approach places Hawaiian burials in peril and gambles with taxpayer dollars.

Under federal law, transit projects affecting historic sites can proceed only if "there is no feasible and prudent alternative," and if "the action includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the property resulting from use."

But such planning has been minimal. The city has not completed an AIS for "Burials Central" or for an alternate route, such as along King Street, that would avoid burial sites.

If burials are found via the AIS or during construction, two laws will be triggered.

First, transit officials must seek a "feasible and prudent alternative" that avoids burials.

Second, state law authorizes preservation of burials, but that could require fundamental project changes.

Ignoring this clear legal mandate, rail proponents contend they need only move rail pillars forward or backward to avoid burials. But that myth assumes burial areas would be limited and overlooks the greater impacts of train station construction and infrastructure relocation.

Four immense stations are planned for the urban corridor, and massive ground disturbances would occur as utility, water and sewer lines are relocated.

So how destructive would it be if burials are encountered during construction?

Would kupuna be pulverized by backhoes or pile drivers? If kupuna are exposed, would transit officials coerce the OIBC to remove the remains? If kupuna remain undisturbed, would the project require major alteration? And how would this affect the railway’s timing and $5.3 billion budget?

The city should have addressed these crucial questions long ago to minimize harm to kupuna, anguish for Hawaiians and expenses for taxpayers.

But overriding these vital concerns, unfortunately, is the city’s shortsighted determination to force the rail project forward — no matter what the cost.