THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

74

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

RequestING a comprehensive study of current and anticipated harbor uses on Oahu to improve harbor efficiency and effectiveness.

 

WHEREAS, the mission of the Department of Transportation (DOT) is to provide and effectively manage a commercial harbor system that facilitates the efficient movement of people and goods to, from and between the Hawaiian Islands, and enhances and preserves economic prosperity and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's economic sustainability is dependent upon the effectiveness and efficiency of the harbor system, as well as the availability of sufficient cargo and container facilities; and

WHEREAS, harbors on Oahu are extremely busy, and the DOT must accommodate harbor uses for not only cargo activity, but also commercial activity, cruise ships, and potential ferry service as well; and

WHEREAS, these new and competing uses for maritime space have created a cargo space crisis in Honolulu Harbor, which is exacerbated by the fact that prior planning studies did not anticipate harbor uses at these current levels; and

WHEREAS, for example, the State has been working on implementing a community development plan to maximize economic and social values at two very busy piers, Pier 1 and Pier 2, in the Kakaako area; and

WHEREAS, currently, Pier 1 and Pier 2 are both under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA), and recent suggestions have indicated that both piers should be transferred to the DOT's jurisdiction to address the cargo space crisis; and

WHEREAS, however, opposing views suggest that the transfer will not resolve the cargo space crisis, and will also compromise the State's ability to implement its Kakaako community development plan; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of both the cargo space crisis and the community development plan, and recommends that a comprehensive study for all maritime areas on Oahu, including fast and submerged lands, as well as the timely implementation of the plan, is necessary to address the cargo space crisis without jeopardizing the community development plan; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the Office of Planning is requested to conduct a comprehensive study of current and anticipated harbor uses on Oahu by developing recommendations for improving harbor efficiency and effectiveness, including the optimum use of Piers 1 and 2, while maintaining options for non-cargo uses in urban Oahu; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the comprehensive study shall evaluate:

(1) Potential cargo space shortages at Honolulu Harbor;

(2) Increased demand for cargo space;

(3) New container shipping technologies that reduce cargo space requirements;

(4) Cargo fees and tariffs rates as an incentive for efficient cargo handling;

(5) Possible relocation of appropriate harbor uses to other harbors, such as Barbers Point Deep Draft Harbor and Pearl Harbor;

(6) Possible ferry service implications;

(7) Cruise ship terminal and berthing requirements; and

(8) Existing and future neighbor island harbor needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of Planning, and the Executive Director of HCDA.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Comprehensive Study of Honolulu Harbor; Office of Planning