Expeditions Ferry Study Underway

by Alberta de Jetley

Participation at public meetings for the Lāna’i community can be hit or miss. Dantec, a Washington state consulting firm hired by the Maui County Council, knocked the ball out of the park at two meetings on October 15 which resulted in an overflow crowd in Lāna’i Public Library’s meeting room for the afternoon meeting.

A leader with 40-plus years of experience in planning public transportation systems using buses, trains and ferries, Dantec did their initial analysis of turning Expeditions Ferry into a county-owned operation in July 2024. 

Spearheaded by Lāna’i’s Councilmember Gabe Johnson, he was able to gain the support of other councilmembers to do a feasibility study for the County of Maui to acquire Expeditions Ferry. If it were purchased by the County instead of a private buyer or corporation, it would be exempt from Hawai‘i’s Public Utilities Commission rules, Johnson noted, and it also would be eligible to receive federal funding.

Although the ferry had been for sale before the devasting Lāhainā fires on August 8, 2023, no viable offers were received.  With the loss of several of its vessels, spare parts, and office and computer equipment, Expeditions still managed to resume its ferry services to Lāna’i from Ma‘alaea Harbor with a reduced schedule of thee daily trips to Lāna’i. In July, an initial survey by Dantec resulted in more than 1,700 responses from Maui County’s tri-island residents from Maui, Lāna’i, and Moloka‘i.

Although the morning meeting was sparsely attended by a handful of residents, it gave those in attendance an opportunity to review and discuss the Power Point presentation Dantec presented in detail. An analysis of the overall project included alternative infrastructure such as the existing ground bus transportation system already in place on Maui island.

After a summary of the morning’s lengthy presentation, residents attending the afternoon meeting had a slew of questions and concerns. At the top of their list was the cost of a ticket to Maui.  The average fare price is $41 per ticket, the ferry’s fare reflects its current need to operate as a profit-driven private business.  If it is county-owned, it would be a county service, not profit-driven. (Since October 1, all of the ferry’s fares have been increased).

It is impossible to consolidate all the concerns that were voiced, but here are a few that were voiced:

When will Lāhainā Harbor be reopened?

Lāhainā Harbor may be closed for up to three years with no clear vision of when it will be completed.  Many residents said they would have to wait to see what businesses were reopened. They liked the convenience of being able to walk to grocery stores, doctors, dentists, and veterinary services.

Ferry travel time

Mānele Small Boat Harbor – 45 minutes to Lāhainā (fairly smooth year-round)

Mānele to Ma‘alaea Harbor – 1 hour and 15 minutes (rougher waters with strong winds)

Ground transportation times

Ma’alaea Harbor to Kahului – 20 minutes average time

Lāhainā harbor to Kahului – 60 minutes plus frequent delays on Pali section of Honoapi‘ilani Hwy due to traffic accidents

Safe parking at Ma‘alaea

Although a parking lot is provided outside of the harbor area for Lāna’i resident owned vehicles, many report their cars are being vandalized.

Public transportation by bus

It’s difficult to ride the bus with suitcases or coolers; the walking distance between the ferry and bus stop was also a concern.

Other transportation options

Space for taxis, Ubers, and u-drive companies is very limited when the ferry is arriving.

Ferry times

The present schedule of Maui departures at 6:30 am,11 am, and 3:30 pm to Lāna’i and return schedule of 8:30, 12:45, and 5:30 seems to work well but there were many requests for a later trip back to Lāna’i.

Other thoughts

• If the ferry is county-owned, could school groups, such as athletes, be transported for free or at a lower fare?

• Would rates be set by the Maui County Council?

• Would there be restrictions on charters?

• What agency would check agricultural plants for invasive species?

• Could travelers be allowed to bring more freight onboard rather than just what they can carry in one trip?

• Is there a need to carry Lāna’i residents to Maui for work on a daily basis?

The Moloka‘i Connection

Moloka‘i residents have been without a ferry service for many years.

According to Dantec’s initial analysis, Moloka’i residents want an outgoing ferry to Maui at 6:30 am with a return ferry at 5:30 p.m.  it was pointed out at the Lāna’i meeting that the channel between Maui and Moloka‘i is very rough and requires a different kind of vessel to traverse it. At the present time, direct ferry service between Lāna’i and Moloka‘i is not being considered. 

To keep tabs on what is happening with the ferry study, contact:

Kauanoe Batangan, Executive Director, The Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization (Maui MPO) email: Kaunaoe@mauimpo.org

or Neil Nakamoto, Maui Dept. of Transportation email: neil.nakamoto@mauicounty.gov