In a move that sets up the next big political play for the Honolulu rail project, a new report to the rail authority is suggesting extending the Skyline system east to Ala Moana Center and west to central Kapolei at an estimated cost of as much as $4.8 billion.
Although it is unclear how the new rail segments could be financed or when they would be built, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has already endorsed the idea of extending the rail line in both directions in a Sept. 29 letter. The state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development is also backing the proposal…