California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will complete only a 171-mile segment of a high-speed rail line under construction between San Francisco and Los Angeles (“Governor downplays plans for $778B, 520-mile rail line,” Star-Advertiser, Feb. 13). The full 520-mile line was to cost $33 billion with completion in 2020. It is now estimated to cost $77 billion and be completed in 2033.

Former Honolulu City Council member and current Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board member John Henry Felix supports ending Honolulu’s rail at Middle Street (“To preserve Hawaii’s sense of place, stop rail at Middle Street,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Feb. 14). While Felix didn’t cite the long-delayed finish date and cost overruns, he laudably cites preserving Hawaii’s sense of place and the University of Hawaii’s climate-change research showing the route will eventually be imperiled.

Kudos to Felix. It is time for the mayor and the entire HART board to get on board with this sensible suggestion and show guts, as Newsom did.

Lynne Matusow

Downtown Honolulu

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