The article, “Stopping rail short might save $450M” (Star-Advertiser, April 1), has refocused letters to the editor on the merits of Middle Street — describing it as the middle of nowhere or suggesting the benefits of the revitalization of King Street (“Middle Street isn’t anyone’s destination,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 7; “Widen King Street for west side commuters,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 8).

The question not being asked is why citizens are being asked to pay for a rail system to a large privately owned shopping center — the very same shopping center that killed the commercial life of Honolulu in the 1960s and 1970s.

The obvious end of a major public rail project should be at the edge of a city — to save the city, not destroy it further for private interests. From Aala one can fan out on seven different road routes to east Honolulu. Rail ending at Aala has the potential to revitalize the western edge of Honolulu.

Jack Gillmar

Palolo Valley

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