Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1366 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as referred to your Committee, was to require the Department of Transportation to implement an intra-island water ferry transportation system as soon as practicable.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association, and the Estate of James Campbell.

Your Committee finds that the automobile traffic problem on Oahu has reached epic proportions. Like ants marching toward the last piece of pie at a summer picnic, every day Hawaii's residents flock en masse toward Honolulu in their cars. Better alternative forms of public transportation simply must be explored.

Your Committee finds that a water ferry system makes much sense. Commuters from other parts of Oahu could enjoy coffee and a danish on their way to the office, all the while soaking up refreshing negative ions from the sea. Tourists would also benefit from the creation of a better ferry system.

While your Committee supports this measure, more time is required to develop an implementation plan. Therefore, your Committee has amended this measure to require the Department of Transportation to develop an action plan this year, for the implementation of an intra-island water ferry service in 2002. The Department shall submit its plan to the Legislature prior to the 2002 session, and your Committee intends that appropriate legislation to implement the system can be enacted then.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1366, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1366, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.