Maui Ferry Program Meeting on Sept. 19 at the Lāna‘i Senior Center

Maui County ferry program community meeting at the Lāna‘i Senior Center (meeting title identifies Sept. 19; metadata lists Oct. 21, 2026). County transportation staff discussed the feasibility study, ongoing environmental assessment, and plans to bring ferry service under county oversight through a competitively awarded operations-and-maintenance contract. The County hopes to issue an RFP in January 2027 and make an award around March or April, with county-supported service potentially beginning by mid-2027. The contract would require the selected private operator to provide and maintain vessels; staff said the RFP would set vessel requirements while allowing a competitive field. No contract award or vote occurred at this meeting.

Staff presented an initial annual cost estimate of about $5 million for the Lāna‘i route, with an illustrative 60% farebox recovery rate—about $3 million in fares and other revenue—and the remaining costs to be covered by county, state, or federal funds. Federal funding was not yet secured; the County would need to budget operating costs and pursue available funding. New vessel construction for a possible Moloka‘i route could take about two years, with service earliest around 2029. Community input focused on affordable fares, service reliability and routes, vessel features and luggage capacity, harbor access, and passenger communications. The environmental assessment is underway, and staff said future service and fare details remain open for public input.