Lānaʻi Ferry Meeting: What Residents Raised and What Comes Next

Maui County officials met with Lānaʻi residents Sept. 19 to discuss plans for a County-supported ferry system. The Lānaʻi meeting focused heavily on how the system would work for residents and what still needs to be addressed.

Key facts

• The County is targeting mid-2027 for Lānaʻi ferry service to begin under a County-supported system.

• A Request for Proposals (RFP) for ferry operations and maintenance is expected to be issued in January 2027, with a possible award in March or April.

• The ferry would remain passenger-only, with vessels similar in capacity to the current 149-passenger Expeditions boats.

• The County would contract with a private operator to operate and maintain the vessels.

• Expeditions could bid for that contract, but the RFP would be open to other qualified operators.

• New vessel construction is expected to take about two years.

• The earliest projected start for Molokaʻi ferry service is 2029.

• Estimated annual operating cost for the Lānaʻi route is about $5 million.

• The County is considering a fare structure intended to recover about 60% of operating costs, with the remainder potentially coming from County, state or federal funding.

• Proposed one-way kamaʻāina adult fares presented at the meeting were $20 or $26, depending on the fare option selected. Kamaʻāina senior and child fares were shown at $15.

• Final fares have not been set.

What Lānaʻi residents raised

Residents repeatedly described the ferry as important for medical appointments, shopping, work, school activities, veterinary care, family visits and connections to the airport.

Several concerns centered on Māʻalaea Harbor.

Residents said the walk between the ferry terminal and MEO transportation can be difficult, particularly for kūpuna and passengers carrying groceries, luggage or other purchases. Concerns were also raised about vehicles and service trucks blocking pedestrian routes and forcing passengers to walk through traffic.

County representatives said a transportation study will examine passenger movement at Māʻalaea, including MEO connections, buses, taxis, parking and other transportation links. County staff also said they plan to conduct a walkthrough of the harbor area with representatives from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the harbor.

Residents also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of Māʻalaea compared with Lahaina. Some said Māʻalaea provides better access to Kahului, including medical appointments, shopping and the airport through MEO transportation. Others said they preferred the Lahaina route or wanted future service options to remain open.

Long-term parking at Māʻalaea was another concern. Residents discussed vehicle break-ins and vandalism in parking areas used by Lānaʻi residents. County Council Member Gabe Johnson said a longer-term plan has been discussed that could place Maui Police Department traffic personnel and vehicles in the Māʻalaea parking area.

Other issues raised included:

• luggage capacity

• fees for carts and larger purchases

• bicycles and other allowable items

• transporting pets

• ferry departure and return times

• maintaining early and late sailings for work, court, jury duty and other appointments

• maintaining continuity of service if the current operator stops operating

• vessel comfort and stability

• access for kūpuna between the ferry and ground transportation

Community input is continuing

County representatives repeatedly said the project is still being developed and that resident feedback can influence schedules, fares, routes, vessel features and other operating details.

“This is certainly not a done deal,” a County representative said during the meeting, saying the project remains early enough for residents to help shape it.

County transportation staff also said future changes to Lānaʻi service would depend on rider and community feedback.

Residents can continue submitting comments through the Maui Ferry Program feedback survey or directly to the Maui County Department of Transportation at public.transit@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7511.

This approach makes the piece less about re-reporting the ferry program and more about what Lānaʻi residents actually asked about, what the County answered, and what remains open for community input.