Yesterday we told you about the Honolulu City Council approving a request for $400,000 more to defend the city against a lawsuit challenging the rail project.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser went one step further and put together a good story detailing the total amount spent so far with private law firms related to rail. An excerpt:

Legal expenses related to the project are generally paid by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation from funds designated for rail.

A statement HART released Wednesday night said that “while we are conscientious about all expenses incurred, please note that the $1.87 million spent to date on legal contracts make up less than 1⁄2 percent of all (general excise tax) revenue spent on the project.”

A breakdown of rail-related legal costs released this week to the Star-Advertiser by the corporation counsel shows the city hired outside law firms to handle legal work ranging from procurement challenges to advice on labor agreements and utility issues.

Read the full story here (subscription required): Rail’s legal bills total $1.87M so far