It comes as no surprise that the city Auditor found the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation violated state procurement laws multiple times (“City auditor slams HART practices,” Star-Advertiser, Jan. 18).

Since the beginning of the rail project, it has cut corners, approved ridiculous overpayments and spent millions on consultant fees. But most of all, it misled the public to believe we needed a rail system at a cost much lower than the current $9 billion-and- growing price tag.

Basically, the rail was shoved down our throats despite all of the opposition. The objective was to get the project started as soon as possible to prevent anyone from pulling the plug, and they have succeeded.

I’ve been told time and again by rail supporters that it was too late to stop the project once it began. It has become way more costly than what President Donald Trump is asking for his wall.

Howard Lee

Hawaii Kai

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