Low-Cost Inter-Isle Transportation Still an Issue

Three Orders by Legislators

Hawaii has no ferry system, at least for another year, but support for low-cost transportation continues strong among legislators.

An inter-Island ferry system — sea or air — is almost certain to crop up again next year when the 60-day general session convenes in February.

In the meantime, the Legislature did issue three "orders" in its continued search to seek a cheaper transportation for Hawaii’s travelers.

1 — The Senate called for a study to determine what benefits a consumer gets from having two airlines instead of one.

2 — The House and Senate registered official approval of the Attorney General’s move to enter appeal proceedings on behalf of Island Air Lines.

I.A.L. has tried for four years to get its cut-rate "sky bus" into the year (sic) but has been grounded on a point of inter-Island jurisdiction.

3 — The two houses called for a $65,000 study to determine the "effect of a State-operated and subsidized" ferry on the economy of Hawaii.

This was adopted over the sharp objection of seven G.O.P. Senators who held that the ferry system had been "studied and re-studied."

Democratic Senator John J. Hulten, leading supporter of the ferry, called for a "completely objective" study to be made by the University of Hawaii.

On the Senate floor, Republican Randolph Crossley took exception to the concurrent resolution, saying: "I have no objection to a study by competent experts in the field … but the University is completely unfamiliar with this."

He accused proponents of trying to get the "kind of report they want."

The measure passed 17-7.

The study will be made on economic effects — a point which contributed directly to the defeat of the ferry due to a lack of extensive research into this phase. …

The study is to be ready by the 1965 legislative session.

Other resolutions and concurrent resolutions on inter-Island transportation were introduced — but failed to go anywhere.

On would have launched a study into the possibility of taking over Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines for State use "by condemnation."