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Lawyers for the city are seeking to have a batch of claims filed by opponents of the Honolulu rail project thrown out of federal court.
Opponents of the rail project, including former Democratic Gov. Ben Cayetano and former state Democratic Party Chairman Walter Heen, sued to try to block the 20-mile rail project, arguing construction should not take place until a supplemental environmental impact statement is conducted.
The rail critics contend the city should reconsider basic issues such as the route the city selected for the rail line, and whether the steel-wheel-on-steel-rail system is the best choice for Honolulu.
The motion filed by lawyers for the city on Feb. 17 seeks to dismiss some of the rail opponents’ claims, alleging the rail critics failed to properly document that they would suffer harm from any effects the rail project might have on a number of sites.
Those sites include Piers 10/11, the Pacific War Memorial site, the Makalapa Navy Housing Historic District, Keehi Lagoon Park, Queen Street Park and Mother Waldron Park.
Federal Judge A. Wallace Tashima will issue a ruling on the city’s motion.