STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2083

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2618

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 2618 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study of establishing an interisland ferry system and make an appropriation for the study.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Aloha Analytics and one individual. 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii does not enjoy the benefit of being linked to other states, cities, or towns via the federal interstate highway system or a network of interconnected state and local highways.  Air transportation is currently the only efficient means of travel between Hawaii's major islands.  An interisland ferry system can serve as an efficient alternative for transporting passengers, cargo, farm produce, and motor vehicles.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Energy that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2618 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Energy,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair