GOVERNOR LINGLE ANNOUNCES STATE HARBORS MODERNIZATION PLAN

For Immediate Release:  December 18, 2007

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today announced the state’s new Harbors Modernization Plan at a news conference where she was joined by state Department of Transportation (DOT) officials, state legislators, including the chairs of the House finance and Senate transportation committees, and members of the Hawai‘i Harbors User Group (HHUGS).

DOT Harbors Division worked in partnership with HHUGS to develop the comprehensive, system-wide harbor modernization plan, which will implement harbor infrastructure improvements to address projected increases in the ocean transportation of cargo and passengers to and between the islands of Hawai‘i through 2030.

Harbors covered by the plan include Kahului Harbor on Maui, Honolulu Harbor and Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor on O‘ahu, Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors on the Big Island, and Nāwiliwili Harbor on Kaua‘i. Improvements will be performed over a six-year time frame.

“We must expand and improve our harbors to ensure Hawai‘i’s continued economic growth,” said Governor Lingle. “The development of the Harbors Modernization Plan was a true partnership effort that involved legislative leaders and key harbor users. It respects our environment while also taking into account the critical role ports play in our state’s commercial well-being.”

Currently, 98 percent of Hawai‘i’s imported goods pass through its harbors, including consumer goods, vehicles and fuel. That volume is expected to climb by as much as 27 percent in 2010 and by as much as 93 percent in 2020. In addition, interisland barge departures from Honolulu Harbor are increasing steadily, Hawai‘i’s cruise industry has grown and the Hawai‘i Superferry is providing new opportunities for passengers to travel between the islands with their vehicles.

As cargo and passenger traffic increases, harbor user operations have been hampered by a lack of adequate space. The improvements encompassed by the Harbors Modernization Plan will ensure that capacity is in place to meet current and future demand. The plan’s statewide capital expenditures are estimated to total $842 million. Improvements will be paid for by the Harbors Special Fund and will not utilize any general funds.

“Our harbors are vital to the economic life of Hawai‘i and need to be improved to handle the increased demand for cargo in line with population, visitor and business growth,” said Senate President Colleen Hanabusa. “I’m confident that the Harbors Modernization Plan offers the right course of action. It was developed cooperatively and is comprehensive in scope.” 

“Now that we have consensus, we can move forward with a wide-reaching plan that prepares for the future shipping requirements of our residents, businesses and visitors,” said Representative Marcus Oshiro, Chair of the House Finance Committee.  “While commercial harbor improvement is not a glamorous issue, it is one of the most basic issues that the Legislature must confront, and the task must begin now.”

“I would like to thank the Hawai‘i Harbors User Group and legislative leaders for working with the state to make the Modernization Plan a reality,” said Governor Lingle. “Implementing the plan will also be a collaborative effort involving several different parties. The end result will be a stronger harbor infrastructure that can support increases in cargo volume and shipping activity to and between our islands.”

• Read the fact sheet and view graphics of the harbors modernization plan.

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For more information, contact:

Brennon Morioka 
Acting Director, Dept. of Transportation 
Phone: (808) 587-2150

Mike Formby
Deputy Director – Harbors, Dept. Of Transportation
Phone: (808) 587-3651

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043