Authorizes the department of transportation to partner with a private developer to purchase or lease land for an intra-island ferry or water taxis at west Oahu. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The state department of transportation has jurisdiction over Hawaii's commercial harbors pursuant to section 266-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which provides in part that the DOT has control and management responsibility for commercial harbor and waterfront improvements. Among the major new developments demanding attention with regard to Hawaii harbors is the Hawaii Superferry or other inter-island ferry operations. Hawaii Superferry, Inc. plans to introduce inter-island roll-on/roll-off passenger and freight ferry service within the Hawaiian islands in 2006.

The State and the city and county of Honolulu are directing new development and population growth to west Oahu. With the population increase, adequate transportation is necessary to alleviate inexorable traffic congestion. An alternative to surface transportation is ocean transportation furnished by ferries and water taxis.

The metropolitan planning organization is a quasi-public agency charged with coordinating transportation planning on Oahu as part of metropolitan planning under chapter 279E, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Oahu metropolitan planning organization has expressed serious interest in an intra-island ferry or water taxi system. The use of public-private partnerships for development has proven to be economical and effective for government to build public facilities.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of transportation to partner with a private developer to purchase or lease land for an intra-island ferry or water taxis at west Oahu.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of transportation may partner with a private developer to purchase or lease land for an intra-island ferry or water taxi service at west Oahu.

(b) The department of transportation shall involve the city and county of Honolulu in the planning to provide bus service to the new west Oahu harbor or marina facilities.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.