STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 102

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.R. No. 102 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE NEED FOR AND FEASIBILITY OF A FERRY SERVICE BETWEEN ALOHA TOWER MARKETPLACE AND SAND ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation, in consultation with various public and private stakeholders to conduct a study on the need for and feasibility of a ferry service between Aloha Tower Marketplace and Sand Island State Recreation Area.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1, which deletes its contents and inserts language:

(1) Requesting the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to:

(A) Inform the maritime community about its heavy weather and hurricane plan and assist the maritime community in fulfilling the necessary procedures to submit a complete application for a heavy weather and hurricane plan;

(B) Conduct informational meetings on the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu regarding the necessary procedures to be taken in preparation of a storm; and

(C) Submit to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020, a list of vessels that have submitted a maritime heavy weather and hurricane plan application; and

(2) Changing its title in accordance with its amended purpose.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 from the Department of Transportation, PacWhale Eco Adventures, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State's well-being is dependent on the efficient administration, development, management, and operation of its ten commercial harbors and commercial maritime infrastructure. Hawaii's isolated island geography emphasizes the significance of ocean cargo transport as the lifeline and only viable means to serve and support every facet of the local economy. Your Committee further finds that being able to return the commercial harbors to normal operating conditions after a storm is vital to the survival of the community and critical in any storm recovery. Your Committee believes that it is important to ensure the protection of all crucial harbor facilities, while also guaranteeing the safety of all during abnormal weather conditions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 102, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 102, S.D. 1.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair