Lawmakers try to keep rail project on track

For now, it’s all about sending signals. And state legislators just sent one to federal transit officials that they will try again this summer to pass something to fund Oahu’s overbudget rail project.

What that “something” is, and when they’ll reconvene in special session, remain unknown — but it’s hoped that this signal will be seen as commitment to the project, for which the feds are granting $1.55 billion. Not so long ago, that amount seemed hefty — but that was when rail was projected to cost about $5.2 billion, not the current $10 billion now estimated.

A historic building from the 1960s

The name of the place is Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It almost goes without saying that knocking down any buildings was not going to be a simple matter. It wasn’t even the temple, back in the valley, that was at issue. It was the 1960s-vintage administration building, offices flanking a central tower, that owner NorthStar Memorial Group had eyed for demolition. Historic Hawai‘i Foundation raised a protest but was pleased that the final plan to enlarge the building kept the basic design, which reflects sense of place with elements of a heiau. When the Koolaus are the backdrop, the building in the foreground should be special.