Ferry terminal set to open on O'ahu
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer
A new $5 million ferry terminal will open next month in Honolulu Harbor, but don't plan any trips yet. Transportation officials say the start of a ferry service in the state is still years away.
"If everything falls into place, a start-up probably would take at least three years," said John Garibaldi, a partner in Hawaii SuperFerry, which hopes to begin interisland passenger and auto service by early 2006.
State officials are taking a two-pronged approach to ferries. One would lead to a new commuter service from West O'ahu to Honolulu. The other would provide regular transportation between Honolulu and the Neighbor Islands.
While similar efforts over the past two decades have ended in frustration, planners say the time may be nearing when interisland and intraisland ferries could be practical and profitable. They point to new ship-building technology, shifting economics and a pent-up demand for alternative modes of transportation.
"It's probably the private sector that's going to make it happen," said Sen. Willie Espero, a supporter of a commuter ferry system. "There are a lot of ideas and suggestions floating around, and a lot of people are looking for options."
The most active proposal comes from Hawaii SuperFerry, which for two years has been quietly exploring the idea of starting an interisland service that would allow residents to take their cars from one island to another for about the same price as a new airline ticket. It also would haul trucks and cargo, competing with current interisland barge service.
Similar initiatives in the past have failed because of the time required and the roughness of the ride in the channels between islands. New ferry technology is making those problems a thing of the past, Garibaldi said.
"With some of the new ferries, we could move people at a very comfortable level between O'ahu and Maui in about two-and-a-half hours," he said.
Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the state Transportation Department, said the state has been working to develop the infrastructure needed for ferry operations.
That includes the new terminal at Pier 19 of Honolulu Harbor that offers ticketing counters, passenger waiting and baggage handling areas, and office space. Until a ferry operation starts up, the new facility can be used as a cruise ship terminal or a multi-use facility for other harbor operations, he said.
Hawaii SuperFerry envisions a high-speed, daily "mini-cruise" service that would compete with interisland airlines and barges. Like other new ferries around the world, it would offer airline-style seating, restaurants, entertainment, a video arcade and a play area for children.
It would use U.S.-built, 320-foot-long wave-piercing catamarans capable of carrying 900 people and about 250 cars, trucks and buses. Within two years of starting, the company hopes to have daily service to Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island, Garibaldi said.
"New technologies in ferry construction make the ride on open water quite comfortable," he said. Similar ships have been used without problems for years elsewhere in the world, he said.
The Transportation Department says an initial one-ship operation could be accommodated using existing facilities, but an expanded fleet would require expensive infrastructure improvements on all islands. It plans to seek $1 million from the federal government to develop a master plan for the interisland ferry system.
The state says it is also pursuing improvements in ferry facilities in Lahaina and Moloka'i, where a private operator runs an existing ferry service. Another master plan is being developed for a commuter ferry system on O'ahu. A demonstration project in 2000 drew enough support to keep the issue alive.
Plans call for improvements in Honolulu, mostly likely at Piers 5 and 6, and a West O'ahu terminal, probably at Iroquois Point at the mouth of Pearl Harbor.
The state says it is working with Flour Inc., the developer of Ford Island and surrounding Navy lands, to include a ferry terminal at Iroquois Point, which proved the most popular starting point in previous trials. The Aloha Tower Development Corp. also plans to include ferry landings and water taxi facilities in its development plans for Piers 5 and 6 near Aloha Tower.
The state mostly likely would purchase or build its own commuter ferry and contract its operations to a private company, Ishikawa said.
If they build it, will the commuters come? "We took a look at that type of operation and didn't really see an economic opportunity," Garibaldi said. "A car still gives people a lot of incentives and freedom once they get to town."
Espero thinks the right type of operation would succeed.
"If we start a reliable, permanent ferry, there are thousands of people in the 'Ewa and Iroquois Point area who would rather take it than drive," he said. "The people there are very open to the possibility. Once the Ford Island development is complete, I'm optimistic that we could get something going pretty soon."
Correction: Willie Espero is a state senator. His title was incorrect in a previous version of this story.
