New ferry routes proposal gaining support in Maui County
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Maui County residents are weighing in this week about a proposed county-run ferry service between Maui, Lanai, and Molokai.
It comes after mounting complaints about a need for transportation between the county.
At a feedback session on Lanai on Monday, residents were curious but supportive.
Currently, the state’s only ferry service is operated by Expeditions Ferry, which has a route between Maui and Lanai.
But now the county is looking into taking over and expanding
“It’s consistently on time. It’s consistently safe. It’s $10 for Kupuna to ride a ferry. It’s $25 for myself,” said Maui County Councilmember Gabe Johnson.
Johnson is not only a frequent passenger on the ferries between Maui and Lanai – he’s spearheading a push to get the county to buy the fleet for up to $10 million and possibly add Molokai to the schedule.
The Friendly Isle hasn’t had a ferry service since 2016.
The only commercial travel option is Mokulele Airlines, which has struggled with flight delays.
“I have seen a spike in Molokai residents asking if any boats are traveling between the islands,” Molokai resident Andrea Dudoit said.
“They’re taking it into their own hands and looking at other options.”
One option could come by the end of this year.
Oahu-based Pacific Air Charter says it’s waiting for federal approval to start scheduled air service to Molokai and other islands, using three new twin-engine Tecnam Traveler planes.
“They are going extra slow to ensure that this new aircraft and our ability to operate them are at the highest level of standards,” said Patrick McNamee with Pacific Air Charter.
“We already paid for the insurance policy. We already paid for most of the things. We have every intent to compete with Mokulele and replace them.”
As for the ferry proposal, it would involve federal support.
Councilmember Johnson says the county could get help paying for new boats and upgrading small boat harbors.
“Millions of dollars of federal aid,” said Johnson.
“There are grants out there that if a county owns a ferry, you can purchase electric EV ferry systems. You can purchase infrastructure for the harbors. This is not the super ferry. This is not boats with cars on it. This is not some boat dropping 3,000 people off on your island.”
Maui County will hold three more in-person sessions this week.
July 30 at 5 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center.
July 31 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kahului Community Center.
Aug. one at 1:30 p.m. at the Kaulapu’u Community Center.
An online survey can be found here. The deadline to complete the survey is Aug. 3.
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