Excellent point. IMO, the project is simply out of control. I wonder if in the original plan there was an assumption that Hillary would be President and would bail out the state, or definitely approve the funding. Regardless, it doesn't "add up".  Hawaii doesn't have the population to support and especially maintain a 10 billion dollar plus project, as you've rightly pointed out.  There's a persistent homeless issue and of course, it would take a tiny fraction of the rail project cost to put UH Athletics, training facilities, stadium, etc., "on the map".  I can't picture just how this is all going to end.