Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1030 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to develop alternative means of transportation between islands in the state by:

(1) Establishing the Hawaii Marine Highway System (System);

A member of the Maui County Council and Hawaii Superferry testified in support of this measure. DOT testified in opposition to this bill.

Hawaii is an island state that depends, almost exclusively, on air transportation for travel between islands. Unlike most areas in the continental United States, Hawaii residents cannot drive from one end of the state to the other end using land-based, highway systems. Hawaii's only "highway" between the islands must be marine-based, and this measure begins the process of using these "marine highways" for the benefit of our citizens.

Although aware that DOT is currently able to secure funds from the Federal Highway Administration's Ferry Boat Discretionary Fund and that approximately $25,000,000 have already been awarded to DOT for the ferry service operation in the County of Maui, your Committee finds that the increased use of all of Hawaii's waterways as a highway system deserves further consideration.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1030 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.