Have a look at today’s Island Voices street-level plan that would solve our transportation fiasco.  In addition to the big issues they present regarding lower costs, less visual blight and speedier completion, consider a few more advantages of street-level:
It makes getting on and off the train much easier, enhancing ridership.  Downtown service could be on King and Beretania rather than an inconvenient, ugly elevated platform blocks away by Aloha Tower. This would enhance the urban experience, giving our city core a much-needed revitalization.
Tracks can easily be extended along that same route to University Avenue reaching UH.  Elevated will never get there. Eventually it can be extended into Waikiki on a one-way loop, single lane on Kalakaua & Kuhio, providing Leeward hotel workers and arriving tourists with a convenient ride.
Despite the city's horrible rail plan it looks like the Legislature is showing some backbone that could lead to this excellent solution. Yay Tokuda and Luke!