Authorizes the department of transportation to implement an intra-island water ferry transportation system.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the traffic situation in downtown Honolulu, especially during morning and evening rush hours, has become intolerable. At the present rate of growth and development, the transportation needs of Honolulu commuters will soon exceed the capabilities of the existing highway system. Many solutions have been proposed to address peak rush hour traffic congestion, including the establishment of high occupancy vehicle lanes on portions of the highways, the development of a fixed rail system, expanded bus service, ridesharing, telecommuting, and shifting the population and jobs in Honolulu from the downtown area to the secondary urban center. Despite these efforts, however, the traffic congestion in Honolulu persists.

The legislature further finds that action must be taken to address the traffic congestion and other transportation-related problems in the State. An intra-island water ferry transportation system is one alternative that might be able to:

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of transportation to implement an intra-island water ferry transportation system.

SECTION 2. The department of transportation may implement an intra-island water ferry transportation system subject to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The intra-island water ferry transportation system shall be premised upon the transportation of commuters during peak traffic periods and may be used for other revenue generating purposes during nonpeak traffic periods. The system shall initially include landings at Ewa Beach and downtown Honolulu and shall be integrated with ground transportation. Additional landings at various locations along the southern coast of Oahu may be added and incorporated into the system at a later date.

The department of transportation shall work with the city and county of Honolulu and the Oahu metropolitan planning organization to implement the intra-island water ferry transportation system. The department shall aggressively explore the possibility of obtaining federal funds to implement the intra-island water ferry transportation system.

SECTION 3. The department of transportation may conduct an intra-island water ferry transportation system demonstration project, which shall be exempt from the statutory provisions of chapters 103D and 271G, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The department may transition the demonstration project into a permanent intra-island water ferry transportation system. The exemptions from chapters 103D and 271G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not apply to the permanent intra-island water ferry transportation system.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to implement an intra-island water ferry transportation system.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. The department of transportation shall develop an action plan describing the key features, timelines, and other appropriate information and submit the plan to the legislature no later than , 2001. The department shall submit a report to the legislature on the implementation of the intra-island water ferry transportation system no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.