WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $3 million to initiate a high-speed ferry boat demonstration program on the Island of Oahu and, possibly, between neighbor islands. $18 million in discretionary funds for ferry funding was authorized in the Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997 (ISTEA-21). The State of Hawaii will be able to apply for an additional $9 million in competitive grant awards.

"The marine ferry system of the United States provides an invaluable component to the transportation requirements of our nation. Because Hawaii is an island state, I believe the viability of passenger/vehicle ferry services should be fully pursued. Marine ferries are less costly than highways, bridges, and tunnels. In coastal urban centers, marine ferry service can provide cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation to areas suffering from congestion. The State has conducted a thorough review of the feasibility of initiating such services and is prepared to issue a request for proposals that would allow for the demonstration of the latest technology in ferry service. I believe that high-speed marine ferry services can be a cost-effective alternative to help alleviate much of urban Oahu's traffic problems," stated Senator Inouye.

The Committee approved an additional $1 million for the Ewa-Honolulu corridor study on the Island of Oahu. The City and County of Honolulu will conduct this study to evaluate mobility alternatives for Honolulu's primary urban corridor from Ewa to East Honolulu. The study will focus on the development and implementation of alternatives to increase the mobility capacity in the primary corridor. Senator Inouye successfully secured $1 million in the Fiscal Year 1998 Supplemental Appropriations bill for this study.

"This study will focus on the development of alternatives to increase the mobility capacity in this primary corridor. The Ewa to East Honolulu urban corridor is a critical rush-hour traffic backlog. Over 600,000 people are expected to utilize this corridor on a daily basis within the next ten years. We need to determine cost-effective alternative modes to accommodate this demand. I look forward to working with the State of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu to accomplish this mandate," Senator Inouye stated.

Senator Inouye also secured $5 million for highway improvements associated with Hanalei Wildlife Refuge on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and Haleakala National Park on the Island of Maui.

In addition, the Committee included sufficient funding to maintain the Essential Air Service (EAS) program at current service levels and quality of service at the communities currently serviced. Kamuela on the Island of Hawaii, currently receives EAS funds.

These initiatives are included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill which will now go to the full Senate for consideration. The bill will then face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.