Drive Time
State to see if ferry proposal holds water

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer

While attempts to run a state commuter ferry service have run aground financially on O'ahu, a Las Vegas-based company is floating the idea of operating an intraisland and interisland ferry by next year.

Rainbow Transportation Group Inc. is in discussions with the state on using hydrofoil boats for a commuter ferry service between downtown Honolulu and Leeward O'ahu.

A community meeting tonight in 'Ewa Beach will discuss the possibility of a commuter ferry service. The 7 p.m. meeting at the 'Ewa Beach Public and School Library is co-sponsored by State Rep. Willie Espero and State Sen. Brian Kanno. Department of Transportation officials will attend.

The state ran a demonstration ferry project last year and found strong ridership in the 'Ewa Beach to downtown route. When the project ended in December, more than 300 'Ewa Beach riders signed a petition asking the state to continue a similar route.

Company president W.E. Matt Dillon, who unveiled his ferry concept earlier this year, said each Boeing jetfoil craft would have a capacity of 250 people and would travel between 40 and 45 mph. The ferries, which cost between $12 million and $15 million each, are updated models of those used by SeaFlite Inc. in the late 1970s.

The proposed ferry service would not be subsidized with government money, so it would have to offer interisland service to make up the operating costs.

"What we want to do is open with the O'ahu ferry service, then branch out toward the interisland service," Dillon said last week. "These boats are designed to handle both assignments."

Dillon said passenger rates have yet to be determined.

Along with commuter service during morning and afternoon rush hour, Dillon said the company is studying the possibility of midday service.

"Someone may want to head downtown to go shopping and come back home at 1 or 2 p.m." Dillon said. "We're looking to see if that's doable."

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation has awarded a $4.1 million contract to Allied Construction Inc. to build a ferry terminal at Honolulu Harbor's Pier 19.

Glenn Okimoto, state deputy transportation director, said discussions between the state and Rainbow Transportation are preliminary. No lease has been awarded yet to the company.

For details about tonight's 'Ewa meeting, call Espero at 586-6360 or Kanno at 586-6830.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.