HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	274
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the department of transportation, in collaboration with the department of business, economic development, and tourism, to conduct a study to evaluate plans by young brothers, ltd., to discontinue its less-than-container-load interisland cargo service.

     WHEREAS, interisland cargo service is a vital lifeline for the islands of Hawaii, particularly the Neighbor Islands; and

     WHEREAS, Young Brothers, Ltd. (Young Brothers), runs the state's largest interisland cargo shipping service; and

     WHEREAS, Young Brothers has announced its intention to discontinue its less-than-container-load interisland cargo service; and

     WHEREAS, current customers of Young Brothers, especially farmers on the Neighbor Islands, have expressed grave concerns about Young Brothers' plans; and

     WHEREAS, reliable, affordable, convenient interisland cargo service is essential to the economy of the state and the welfare of its people; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Department of Transportation (DOT), in collaboration with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, is requested to conduct a study to evaluate plans by Young Brothers, Ltd. (Young Brothers), to discontinue its less-than-container-load interisland cargo service:

(1)  For Kahului, Maui, and Hilo, Hawaii, after January 1, 2010; and

(2)  For Kona, Hawaii; Honolulu; Molokai; Lanai; and Lihue, Kauai, after January 1, 2012;

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study:

(1)  Identify the potential consequences of the proposed discontinuation of less-than-container-load cargo service for local business, including the possibility of higher shipping costs and delayed shipments;

(2)  Investigate the reasons cited by Young Brothers for discontinuing less-than-container-load cargo service, including the apparent shortage of harbor dock space;

(3)  Evaluate the impact of the forthcoming Hawaii Superferry service on the ability of Young Brothers to maintain its less-than-container-load cargo service;

(4)  Provide descriptions and updates of any efforts to maintain Young Brothers' current operation of less-than-container-load cargo service, including any additional space provided or improvements made at harbors to accommodate this service;

(5)  Recommend solutions or alternatives to address the discontinuation of Young Brothers' less-than-container-load cargo service, such as the use of freight consolidators and changes to harbor infrastructure, and provide estimates of the cost effect of the recommended solutions and alternatives; and

(6)  Consider any other matter necessary to fully evaluate and develop solutions to Young Brothers' plans to discontinue its less-than-container-load interisland cargo service;

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOT submit its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the president of Young Brothers.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Interisland cargo service