Councilman Charles Djou has taken issue with the city's plan to start construction of the rail system near 'Ewa. He argues that it makes more sense to build the first segment within the urban core, where there are more potential riders.

But while that seems logical on the surface, Djou's idea misses some key facts. The city's current plan is the one with the best chances of long-term success.

There are solid reasons for building first in 'Ewa, say others on the council and within the administration. First, it's easier to locate the 40-acre baseyard for storing equipment in an area that now is sparsely populated. The city would be hard-pressed to find that much land in the city.

Secondly, the preparatory work in urban Honolulu — condemning land, relocating existing utilities — will take far longer, which will delay actual construction further.

This will mean the entire 20-mile project will ultimately take longer to complete. And on a project of this size, time is money. Delays add inflationary costs. Starting in 'Ewa now will allow real progress to be made early on.

City Council Chairman Todd Apo said it's his hope that much of the in-town work can happen in tandem with the west-side buildout, and he's right. The city needs to make wise use of the lead time it has now so that anticipated town-side complications can be efficiently dealt with.

Officials should approach the $4.8 billion project with a plan that enables the greatest efficiency for completion of the full 20-mile route. The current plan seems on track toward that final goal.