Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations and Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 2321, H.D. 2, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish and implement a permanent intra-island water ferry transportation system through collaborative efforts involving the DOT, counties, federal government, and other interested parties in the public and private sectors.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, Leeward Oahu Transportation Management Association, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii. Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Transportation.

The DOT testified that it is willing to take the lead to plan an intra-island water ferry transportation system for Oahu. The tentative plan is to someday have a ferry system between Barbers Point and Aloha Tower. Such a plan is more feasible with the upcoming redevelopment of Barbers Point. While the ferries would be privately operated, the harbors would be owned by the DOT. Therefore, the DOT has a significant stake in this matter, notwithstanding its testimony that the ferry system should be under the jurisdiction of the counties. Your Committees appreciate the DOT's assistance to bring all stakeholders to the table to talk about and plan the ferry system.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations and Economic Development that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2321, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.