Hokama complains about lack of screening at Lanai harbor

Councilor says the emphasis given to airport, when Manele main access point

Council Member Riki Hokama, who holds the Lanai residency seat, expressed "extreme disappointment" with state efforts to screen arrivals for COVID-19 at Manele Small Boat Harbor -- "the biggest gateway to the island" -- in a letter to Gov. David Ige.

"The Health Department has displayed a cavalier attitude toward off-island travelers to Lanai not arriving by aircraft," he said in his letter to Ige on Aug. 14.

Manele harbor is the main access point to Lanai by commercial ferry and private vessels, even more so than Lanai Airport with its health and security checkpoints, Hokama said.

"These include travelers accessing the island with recreational boats and jet skis," he said. "This is a blatant dereliction of duties by the state, as outlined in the state Constitution, and once again the county is left to cover the state's responsibilities."

In an interview Wednesday, Hokama praised Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino's help with the problem, including offering National Guard and police assistance.

He noted that the state does not have directives for how to deal with commercial boaters that dock and moor off the island. Expeditions Ferry, which carries most of the essential workers to the island, including police, fire and health care workers, requires passengers to fill out a state travel and health form and complete health screenings and temperature checks before boarding.

Under recent tightening of rules, travelers to Lanai have to quarantine for 14 days, unless they have an exemption.

Manele harbor falls under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Dan Dennison, senior communications manager for DLNR, said Tuesday that the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has one harbor agent "monitoring all vessels entering and exiting the harbor to the best of her ability."

"All vessels, including the (Expeditions) Ferry, are required to fill out the travel declaration form upon arrival," he said.

Manele harbor "is a busy place," Hokama said in the interview, adding that the facility is the "biggest gateway to the island." The majority of the people coming to Lanai pass through the harbor.

He said the state Health Department "only has eyes for the airport" and that "a lifeline system is not being protected as well as the airlines."

"It's not just an air thing, it is an ocean thing," Hokama added.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported a total of 87,000 arrivals and departures at Lanai Airport in the 12 months ending in May 2019.

DLNR did not have data on arrivals at Manele harbor, and Expeditions could not be reached Thursday, but observers of the harbor and nearby Hulopoe Beach say 700 to 800 people were arriving and departing the harbor daily before COVID-19. In addition, fishermen say international and Mainland vessels have been docking at the harbor after hours and avoiding monitoring since the pandemic began.

Lanai has not had any COVID-19 cases, which is critical because the island "has the least amount of medical infrastructure," Hokama said in his letter to the governor. "We cannot afford to have an outbreak in our rural districts."

He said in the interview that medical facilities on the island were inadequate to deal with an outbreak. In fact, island medical facilities turned down an offer for ventilators because of the lack of trained personnel.

In the interview, Hokama said the community understands the situation and the risks, adding that "everybody is like an inspector."

"No one wants to be the family that brings COVID to the island," he said.

With the lack of monitoring at Manele, Lanaians are frightened to go on the ferry and leave the island, said a resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

Saying the state "has let their rural constituents down," Hokama in the letter called for "strict procedures and proper screening" as the "only way we can ensure public safety for our rural community."

There needs to be an understanding of "the uniqueness of the smaller communities," he said in the interview. "It is not cut and dry, one size fits all."

Hokama called for better monitoring of incoming visitors, regulations for recreational boaters and better enforcement. He noted that the problem involves a staffing shortage with the Legislature not providing sufficient resources.

The council member had not heard back from the governor as of Wednesday. An official with the governor's office said Wednesday that her office had not seen the letter and would not be able to comment.

"We don't want these guys, but they are coming because we're COVID-free," said Hokama, half jokingly. "We should be protecting all our harbors."

* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.