THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
20
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
requesting the public utilities commission to establish a dedicated panel of commissioners to oversee matters related to intrastate water carriers and maritime commerce.
WHEREAS, the State's intrastate water carriers are essential to the Hawaii's economic stability and public well‑being as they ensure the reliable movement of food, fuel, medicine, construction materials, and consumer goods across the islands; and
WHEREAS, unlike most states, Hawaii relies on maritime transportation as a core component of its internal supply chain rather than a supplemental mode of transport; and
WHEREAS, regulation of intrastate water carriers involves highly technical and operational considerations, including vessel safety, harbor operations, emergency preparedness, infrastructure investment, workforce requirements, and long-term maritime system planning; and
WHEREAS, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates intrastate water carriers alongside electric, gas, telecommunications, and other utilities, despite the fundamentally distinct operational characteristics of maritime transportation; and
WHEREAS, the complexity and criticality of maritime transportation warrant specialized regulatory focus and subject matter expertise to ensure informed, timely, and consistent decision-making; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation, through its Harbors Division, has direct responsibility for harbor infrastructure and maritime operations and serves as a key technical and operational partner to intrastate water carriers; and
WHEREAS, closer alignment and structured coordination between the PUC's regulatory function and maritime operational expertise would strengthen regulatory effectiveness without altering existing statutory authority; and
WHEREAS, establishing a dedicated maritime or intrastate commerce panel within the PUC would improve regulatory clarity, continuity, and capacity as the State advances clean energy, decarbonization, resilience, and supply-chain security goals; and
WHEREAS, strengthening specialized oversight of intrastate water carriers supports supply-chain resilience, cost containment, emergency response readiness, and long-term investment certainty for businesses and communities across the State; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Public Utilities Commission is requested to establish a dedicated panel of commissioners, or other formal internal structure, to oversee matters related to intrastate water carriers and maritime commerce; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the PUC is encouraged to ensure that the oversight panel is supported by appropriate technical expertise, maritime operational knowledge, and stakeholder engagement to address the unique characteristics of intrastate maritime transportation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body encourages enhanced coordination between the PUC, Department of Transportation, maritime operators, labor, and other stakeholders to inform regulatory decisions and improve system-wide outcomes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this body affirms that specialized maritime oversight within the existing regulatory framework would strengthen interisland supply-chain resilience, support the State's clean energy transition, and promote reliable and affordable maritime transportation residents and businesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to Director of Transportation; Chair of the Public Utilities Commission; Deputy Director of Transportation, Harbors Division; and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.
OFFERED BY:
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Report Title:
PUC; DOT; Water Carriers; Maritime Commerce