The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

WAILUKU — Community members weighed the feasibility of an inter-island ferry system that would run between Maui, Lana’i, and Molokai Wednesday at the Kahului Community Center.

Brian Mills stood before a room of not one empty seat. As he seemed concerned about how this group of outspoken citizens of Maui would respond, a relatively healthy and enthusiastic middle-aged gentleman in the audience stood and spoke to everyone, but appeared to be directing his attention to the group.

“Great to see people taking the time to participate. The council uniformly feels we need to provide a ferry. As of now!” the gentleman said as he sat down to a round of applause. The man was Councilman Tom Cook, a nonpartisan County Council member, South District.

Mills relaxed and introduced himself along with his colleague. The men represented a feasibility survey which Maui County Council passed 5-0 to implement. Many factors existed which were all directly vocalized by the citizens passionately vocalizing the need for ferry services to and from Molokai as well as Lana’i.

This detailed analysis of all critical aspects of an inter-island ferry to determine the likelihood of success.

The Molokai Ferry ceased operations in 2016 due to the inability to compete with subsidized air travel. The Lana’i Ferry, which currently still operates, is a foregone conclusion to terminate its daily transports according to everyone in attendance, which included a handful of Lana’i residents who spoke of the upcoming sale of its’ vessel, The Expeditions.

The county commissioned a survey to determine if a ferry could sustain itself, and if not, what factors are needed to effectively have a ferry in place for locals and tourists to commute between islands.

Before the desires and needs could be placed into discussion, the crucial needs besides what seems like overwhelming support are the need for emergency evacuation from the island, which last years fires highlighted, the aforementioned lack of a Molokai Ferry and the uncertain future of Lana’i’s Ferry.

Many secondary needs, which would add to the quality of life include a secondary choice for residents of Molokai to travel. Since their ferry ceased operations many sick and elderly citizens of Maui residing on Molokai are suffering and lacking just about every medical resource.

Brian Mills and his associate, alongside Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori, listened to every word on the mind of every single resident. The pros and cons of the Molokai and Lana’i Ferries were rationally discussed.

The need of better bathroom facilities than what is currently at Ma’alea Harbor was one overwhelming approval. Other questions such as what food or drink, if any, should be served aboard the ferry. The ferries’ times, and many quite reasonable questions like if the ferry can be made ADA compliant flooded the air in the packed meeting room.

The Expeditions is rumored to sell very soon, thus leaving Maui County’s sisters, Lana’i and Molokai cut off from the shopping and medical needs Maui provides. In turn, Maui residents and tourists currently adore the Lana’i Ferry as the most reasonably priced day getaway in Maui County.