In a move with the potential to transform some Hawaii interisland travel, Maui County is exploring the possibility of purchasing the Lanai Passenger Ferry and a new one for service to Molokai. This initiative, led by Lanai Councilmember Gabe Johnson, has already seen a significant step forward with the allocation of $300,000 for a feasibility study in the current fiscal year. Ever notice that Hawaii loves $300,000 studies? In any event, here’s what this could mean for residents, visitors, and the islands.
Determination of feasibility underway.
The feasibility study aims to evaluate the operational, financial, and logistical aspects of a county-owned ferry service rather than a private profit-driven one. Key considerations for such a service include:
1. Exploring potential funding sources such as federal and state grants to offset high operational and infrastructure costs.
2. Consideration of a model similar to Maui’s public bus system, where the service is operated under a contract with a private company.
3. Further understanding of the transportation needs of residents and visitors, especially for essential travel, including medical appointments.
Current ferry service and challenges.
The existing Maui-Lanai ferry, operated by Expeditions, has resumed service from Maalaea Harbor after disruptions caused by fires at Lahaina Harbor. This somewhat longer service currently runs daily with departures from Maalaea Harbor at 6:30 am, 11:00 am, and 3:30 pm and from Manele Harbor on Lanai at 8:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 5:30 pm. This schedule is crucial for providing transportation for residents and visitors, but recent operational challenges highlight the ongoing need for a more robust and reliable interisland ferry system.
The Expeditions company is currently for sale, and many on Lanai are concerned that a new owner could raise rates, which are currently discounted for residents, seniors, and children.
Potential benefits for visitors.
For visitors, a new inter-island ferry service could offer a unique and convenient way to explore multiple islands. Traveling between Maui, Lanai, and Molokai by ferry would provide an alternative to air travel, potentially enhancing the overall Hawaii visitor experience. Additionally, it could make it easier for tourists to access more remote and less trafficked parts of Hawaii, which the state would like to see, and also give visitors more diverse experiences on their Hawaii vacation.
Historical context and lessons learned.
The idea of Hawaii interisland ferry service is anything but new. The Hawaii SuperFerry, which operated between 2007 and 2009, faced numerous challenges, including high costs, rough ocean conditions, and legal battles that led to its closure. While this historical context provides valuable lessons, the current initiative by Maui County aims to address these challenges with a more sustainable and community-focused approach.
The SuperFerry case:
The Hawaii SuperFerry is frequently cited in discussions about interisland ferry service potential. The SuperFerry faced numerous issues, including:
- High construction and operational costs.
- Significant financial losses leading to bankruptcy.
- Legal, environmental, and community challenges.
- Rough ocean conditions caused frequent cancellations and passenger discomfort.
Despite the challenges, the concept of a Hawaii ferry system remains a topic of interest due to its potential to offer an alternative to air travel, especially for essential travel needs.
Alaska, Hawaiian, Mokulele and Southwest Airlines planning 100-Seat electric SeaGlider.
At the same time, the airlines are investing in an innovative new form of interisland transportation akin to a ferry: the 100-seat electric SeaGlider. These next-generation vehicles, known as Regent Monarchs, are designed to operate as hybrid ferry/aircraft, capable of harbor-to-harbor service across Hawaii. We are unsure, however, if these would also be used to serve Lanai and Molokai from other islands, including Oahu.
The SeaGliders are all-electric “wing-in-ground-effect” vehicles that travel within a wingspan of the ocean’s surface. They combine the speed of an airplane (200 mph) with the operating cost of a boat, making them a potential game-changer for sustainable regional transportation that is a hybrid between airliner and ferry.
These SeaGliders promise to provide Hawaii with interisland transportation options at a fraction of existing flights’ cost, noise, and emissions. The goal is to offer a comfortable and environmentally sustainable travel option that could significantly enhance inter-island connectivity.
Community involvement and future prospects.
Councilmember Johnson emphasizes the importance of public transportation being in the hands of the public. The feasibility study will also examine how other communities manage their ferry systems and what funding mechanisms can support such an initiative. Johnson hopes that this new ferry service will not only provide essential transportation but also help subsidize other public transport services like the county bus system.
As Maui County moves forward with the feasibility study, the potential for a new inter-island ferry service brings hope for improved connectivity and essential services for residents and visitors. The study’s findings will be crucial in determining this initiative’s viability and future steps. Stay tuned for more updates as the study progresses, and the vision for a county-owned ferry service takes shape.
Please share your feedback about Hawaii travel interisland.
I would rather have the seaglider to Molokai and Lanai. The ferry ride from Lanai to Maui was rough (for me and anyone I spoke to who has taken it). Molokai is even rougher ..more waves, winds etc. Hoping for the seaglider. They already exist for 12 people, so let’s go! It’s all electric and at least on Lanai, they charging stations are already there!
The owner of 93% of Lanai would need to welcome day visitors. If not let him buy his own ferry to run the island. Aloha.
I’m with you on this one. Forget these costly studies. Waste of money.
Just try it out on a trial basis. If it works. Great. If not, scrap it.
The Maui-Oahu Super Ferry failed because then governor Linda Lingle failed to conduct the appropriate environmental impact study, which was the law. And it would’ve been one of the biggest boondoggles, second only probably to the current failed Honolulu railway.
Hilarious. If the current operator is for sale, just get a copy of their sale docs including financials. See what it costs, and what the real demand is, not government FantasyLand B.S. A UHI biz school intern could do this for Free, just for the experience..
LOL it will cost double and be a mess, There will be to many cooks in the kitchen
Once again our incompetent politicians offer up a solution we already had but was destroyed by lobbyists for Hawaiian Airlines, Young Brothers, and the car and rental and hotels who did not want daily visitors traveling to Maui in their own cars, bikes, and mopeds. A ferry between Maui and Molokai doesn’t both whales or dolphins but a ferry between Oahu and Maui does. Cruise ships traveling between the Islands doesn’t bother whales or Dolphins either, it’s just Govenor Lingle’s ferry that caused harm. This study and project is doomed for failure but us taxpayers will spend $300,000 dollars for a study. Lord help us all. God Bless America and the USMC.
A 200 MPH with the same operating costs of a ferry – I’ll believe it when I see it.
And do ferries only carry 100 passengers? How many 100 passenger flights would be needed to transport as many people as the ferry?
Going in for serious surgery, wish me luck.
Hi Rod.
We’re wishing you the best from your surgery and hope to hear from you soon.
Aloha.
Thank you!
It would be amazing to have a ferry to visit the other islands. Especially to go hunting and fishing. Paddling events would be easy to to go and participate
Everybody wants something for nothing. First class service, access and treatment for a super economy price. Only government can run a service that does nothing but lose money. What happens when the government runs out? Oh! Wait….
Best Regards
I would love to see an accounting of WHO keeps getting these $300,000, they waste much money doing studies.
It will only change when these people are voted out and there is accountability.
How about enhancing island travel by using the 300,000 studies on improving road quality in the islands. I am sure residents and visitors would both like it.
Wow! Do they really think this is going to help people want to come to Maui in the first place? I’m staying away from Maui forever after I’ve been there three times. So put off with all Hawaii at this point, I’m definitely not going back to any of the Islands and I used to go yearly!
Jag, have you gone this year? And if so what happened that put you off from returning? I have a trip planned there in 3 months…
We just returned from Maui, our 35th year in a row vacationing in paradise.The spirit of aloha is alive and well there as it always has been. I’m envious of your upcoming vacation.