A study looking at the viability of a state-owned ferry system will be presented to the state Legislature next month, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Lawmakers commissioned the $50,000 study last session.
The purpose is to take a look at other publicly owned fleets, such as in Washington state, and how that could work here.
That would be different from the Superferry, a private venture that sailed from 2007-09. It shut down after a judge ruled it unconstitutional without a full environmental review.
DOT contracted with SMS Research to conduct a “market analysis to determine demand for and price sensitivity related to an intra-island, intra-county and inter-island ferry service,” agency spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige said in an email.
Additionally, the study looks at infrastructure requirements, environmental law compliance, operating costs and financing options, she said. Recommendations will be included.
Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who was a co-sponsor of the legislation that funded the study, said it remains to be seen if additional research will be needed.
Inouye, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, also will be looking at who was consulted on the neighbor islands.
“I’d like to see who they’ve talked to, what type of information they have already compiled,” said Inouye, D-Hilo, Hamakua, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona.
The report will become public once released to the Legislature, Kunishige said.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
