STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1616

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 47

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 47 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NEED AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN THE ISLANDS OF MAUI AND MOLOKAI,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to study the need for and feasibility of establishing a government-subsidized interisland ferry system between the Islands of Molokai and Maui.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Sea Link, which previously operated with state subsidies and was regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, began providing regular ferry service between Kaunakakai, Molokai, and Lahaina, Maui, in 1987, serving as a critical and essential lifeline for Molokai residents.  The state-subsidized ferry service served as a convenient way for Molokai residents to travel to and from employment on West Maui and served as an affordable alternative to air travel.  However, the State ended subsidies to the ferry service in 1996, and ridership declined in the face of competition from federally subsidized commuter air travel.

     Your Committee further finds that a renewed ferry service between the Islands of Molokai and Maui would provide a practical, cost-effective way for residents, visitors, and workers to travel between the two islands, and provide a safe way for those with disabilities to travel interisland.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 47, and recommends that it 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