“We are very encouraged by the FTA’s response,” Caldwell said in a press release.

That's so silly. "Very encouraged" after they just said "Hell no, no more money for you and no corner-cutting either."

Can Caldwell please just admit that he plans to ask the legislature to authorize an extension of the GET surcharge if he is reelected? At least he can now say "The feds are making me do it," which seems to be the whole point of this exercise.

The press release has a city council member hinting at it: “We need the legislature’s support to invest in a better future with us and to recognize the role rail will play in improving the quality of life for the people of Hawaii,” said Council Transportation Chair (and Caldwell surrogate and floater of delicate trial balloons) Joey Manahan.

The mayor just ducks the whole obvious issue. It's not making him look like much of a leader.

Djou should be issuing his own ridiculous press release any minute. Will he now admit his bus "plan" is dead?