HONOLULU (KHON2) — A public ferry service between Maui and Lanai is one step closer to reality.
The Maui County Department of Transportation wants to hear from interested companies to take over the current profit-driven service.
The current ferry between Maui and Lanai brings passengers to and from the Valley and Pineapple Isles three times per day, but it is currently for sale and Lanai’s councilmember supports the County taking over.
“Really important distinction here, privately-run ferry systems or privately-run businesses are going to be profit-driven, whereas if the county runs and runs up a ferry system, we won’t be private driven, will be service driven,” said Maui County Councilmember for Lanai, Gabe Johnson.
MDOT is requesting companies to provide information on vessels and crews that meet specific requirements. Former South Maui Councilmember Kelly King said a subsidy might be better than outright ownership.
“So that whoever’s running it can make money because the alternative the alternative is to buy the ferry and then pay somebody to run it. So, you’re basically paying for it twice,” King said.
The current ferry service point on Maui was forced to move to Maalaea after wildfires tore through Lahaina and its harbor.
“And it’s interesting that I’ve talked to people who don’t like it because they have to drive further if they’re coming from the west side to catch the ferry. But there are some people who, if they were coming from central or south Maui, they like it better because they don’t have to drive as far to catch the ferry,” King said.
“If the county does own and operate a ferry system, then you’re eligible for federal funding,” Johnson said, “we can also improve our harbors. And Lahaina needs harbor improvements. Any harbor that has a ferry running through it, we can go up for federal funds and get it.”
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Both agreed that future discussions about including Molokai should be on the table.
The deadline for interested parties to submit information on the passenger transit service between Maui and Lanai is at 4 p.m. on Jan. 10. Click here for more information.