WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has jurisdiction over Hawaii's commercial harbors pursuant to section 266-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), which provides in part that the DOT has control and management responsibility for commercial harbor and waterfront improvements; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, the DOT prepared an Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan, designed to improve and update the State's harbor system with a focus primarily on Honolulu Harbor to meet the anticipated growth and demand over the ensuing twenty-five years; and

WHEREAS, the master plan encompasses every state harbor and includes plans and recommendations for overseas container cargo terminals, inter-island cargo terminals, berths, roadways, passenger terminals, navigational improvements, dry bulk cargo terminals, liquid bulk cargo terminals, commercial fishing, military cargo, ocean research, and other relevant matters; and

WHEREAS, the biggest challenges facing Hawaii's shipping industry is the State's limited facilities and space, with a finite amount of space and facilities working beyond capacity; and

WHEREAS, without expansion and improvement of Hawaii's harbors, particularly Honolulu Harbor, the State's shipping industry will suffer and decline; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii imports about eighty percent of its food and merchandise, with about eighty-five percent of that volume, including building materials, cars, and fuel shipped by sea; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's shipping industry is effectively the State's life-sustaining enterprise; and

WHEREAS, among the major new developments demanding attention are the Hawaii Superferry, increased security arising from the events of 9/11, and the initiation of a new cargo shipping line; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan should be updated to accommodate new demands being placed on commercial harbors in Honolulu and on each Neighbor Island; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the Department of Transportation is requested to update the Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan and to include coverage of all relevant issues, including the proposed Superferry, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, use of harbors by local canoe clubs, Maui Trailer Boat Club, and other interested parties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a progress report to the Legislature on its efforts to update the Hawaii Commercial Harbors 2020 Master Plan no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation.

Report Title:

Harbors Master Plan Update