Documents suggest a contract for federal lobbying services was already a done deal before it was put out to bid.

Colleen Hanabusa says she drafted bills and monitored legislation on her own, not because she expected a contract or financial reward from the transit board.

Newly released documents confirm what many suspected: that the contract and its restrictive qualifications were written with the former congresswoman in mind.

The rail authority has also been borrowing on its own to cover its costs and pay its contractors.

The FTA says it “will discuss all possible options” amid rail’s latest, massive cost increases and schedule delays.

The good news is the hard-charging politician is willing to help HART. The weird thing is how it happened.

Rail authority CEO Lori Kahikina provided no details, but said she believes public interest in riding the train is still high.

The former congresswoman had lined up a consulting gig that could have been worth nearly $1 million. But the deal raised many concerns including by contract experts.

A $3.6 billion dollar budget deficit has taxpayers in Honolulu wondering if the rail project will ever reach Ala Moana Center as promised. The line is now projected to cost at least $12.4 billion and there are more calls for it to stop at Middle Street.

But 44% say it should go all the way to Ala Moana Center instead of shortening the 20-mile route.