Maui County is holding public meetings in mid-September on a proposal to create a county-subsidized ferry system connecting Maui to Lanai and Molokai. The plan includes purchasing Expeditions’ existing Lanai ferry assets and eventually adding vessels for Molokai service.
- Public meetings are scheduled for mid-September to gather input for a required environmental assessment of the ferry proposal.
- The county would purchase Expeditions’ three ships and contract out operations for the Maui-Lanai route, then eventually add Molokai service.
- County ownership would make Maui eligible for federal ferry grants and congressional transportation earmarks not available to private operators.
- There is currently no ferry service to Molokai; the existing Expeditions Maui-Lanai ferry charges up to $138 round trip for adults.
- Past private ferry ventures — including the Molokai Princess and Hawaii Superferry — both shut down, which proponents say underscores the need for public subsidy.
Source: Maui News
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