In the latest hit in what’s been a battering several months of bad news for the rail project, officials have disclosed the discovery of a contaminant from an industrial solvent dumped at a former Army facility. It turned up in a monitoring well, testing the water table where columns will be built.

That’s bad, and it’s also going to mean more delay and “several million dollars” more in costs, project officials say. It’s not going to get any cleaner as the construction moves toward town, folks.

Reconsider scrapping trash fee

City Council Budget Chairman Joey Manahan said last week that Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s latest pitch for a curbside trash pickup fee may be scrapped.

However, there are a few valid reasons to think twice against holding onto Honolulu’s status as the only county that does not charge a fee. Only those who receive the benefit would need to pay while those who don’t, who have to pay for private hauling services, won’t need to pay.

Also, the $5 monthly fee would collect a projected $5.8 million a year to help pay for municipal matters such as affordable housing.