Honolulu City Councilman Brandon Elefante’s “divorce” metaphor may not quite fit the dispute over the public-private partnership for rail. Mayor Kirk Caldwell had announced the city’s withdrawal from the deal with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and an unnamed private partner to build and operate the final segment.

Caldwell said the remaining two could “pretend” the deal is still there. In what kind of marriage are there three partners? And could a new mayor try for a reconciliation?