A rail train car towed along a 2.1-mile stretch of Oahu’s half-built elevated guideway glided from the rail operations center, near Leeward Community College, to its West Loch Station on Tuesday in a test of path clearance and obstacles. Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Honol­ulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) cheered the sight as a move toward a future with less traffic congestion. But that hinges on the city clearing a hefty financial obstacle.

With the project facing a funding shortfall estimated at $1.5 billion to $3 billion, the Legislature adjourned without taking action on extending the general excise tax surcharge to help pay for it. This summer, train cars will go through their paces, with engineers testing acceleration and breaking. Here’s hoping a special session is convened soon.

Hawaii immigrant loses fight to stay here

It was a sad day for Andres Magana Ortiz when the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that his deportation be upheld, because the Hawaii island coffee grower was in the country illegally. His wife and three children will be deprived of his presence, and he will no longer be a valuable contributing member of his community, where he has prospered over nearly 30 years.

This case, like so many others, shines a light on the continuing need for comprehensive immigration reform — one that is flexible enough to reflect the realities on the ground.