Posted on: Tuesday, June 3, 2003

EDITORIAL
Water travel makes sense in the Islands

Count us among those impatient to see the launching of an interisland ferry service, especially in light of the rising cost and inconvenience of flying.

It's time we reduced our dependence on the airline industry and introduced competition. So we're excited to hear about the upcoming opening of a $5 million ferry terminal in Honolulu Harbor. We just wish the ferry service wasn't so far behind. At this point, the e.t.a. for an interisland passenger and auto service is 2006.

That said, we're aware that previous intraisland ferry experiments flopped. But those efforts, it can be argued, were pulled before folks had time to adapt their commuting habits.

A better model is the San Juan Islands in Washington State, where commuting by ferry is affordable and offers breathtaking scenery as well as the leisure time to socialize or catch up on work projects or reading.

As for the economic benefits to Hawai'i, a ferry industry would provide jobs and allow people to commute to other islands for work. A case in point is sleepy Moloka'i, where a daily ferry service transports residents to jobs in West Maui.

Meanwhile, an intraisland ferry service running between Honolulu and West O'ahu — if people would use it — could dramatically decrease traffic congestion and pollution.

Sure, there'll be plenty of obstacles. But they'll be worth overcoming if we can create a viable ferry culture in Hawai'i.