By Karen Robes Meeks
The completion of the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s state-funded $7.5 million Harbors Maui District Office Relocation project was feted with a ceremony blessing March 27.
Efforts to relocate the office began in 2012 after an assessment study on how to best use the land at Kahului Harbor determined that moving the Harbors Maui District Office to the Old Kahului Railroad Building A on Kaahumanu Avenue and letting others use adjacent Buildings B and C would be a more efficient, less congested use.
The project involved updating the building’s utilities and systems while preserving the historic architectural features of the old Kahului Railroad Building.
“Kahului Harbor is our state’s third largest port, and these improvements are essential to increase operational efficiency and improve conditions for Harbors personnel,” said Gov. David Ige.
Showing posts with label Hawaii Department of Transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaii Department of Transportation. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2019
Friday, March 8, 2019
Falls of Clyde Auction Falls Through
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Falls of Clyde, a 280-foot steel-mast sailing vessel docked at Pier 7 of Honolulu Harbor, could not be auctioned due to lack of qualified bidders, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
“We were optimistic a bidder would step forward and purchase this ship, however we did not receive any qualified bids that were able to meet the requirements,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. “While a lot of people may want to see the ship restored, paying for it remains an issue.”
In accordance with state law, the agency’s Harbors Division will continue the process of removing the impounded and unpermitted vessel. Selling the vessel by negotiation, donating it to a governmental agency or otherwise disposing of it are some of the available options.
The Falls of Clyde, a 280-foot steel-mast sailing vessel docked at Pier 7 of Honolulu Harbor, could not be auctioned due to lack of qualified bidders, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
“We were optimistic a bidder would step forward and purchase this ship, however we did not receive any qualified bids that were able to meet the requirements,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division. “While a lot of people may want to see the ship restored, paying for it remains an issue.”
In accordance with state law, the agency’s Harbors Division will continue the process of removing the impounded and unpermitted vessel. Selling the vessel by negotiation, donating it to a governmental agency or otherwise disposing of it are some of the available options.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Hawaii DOT Earns High Rating
By Karen Robes Meeks
The Hawaii Department of Transportation recently earned a 'AA-' rating from Fitch Ratings on its $160.3 million of outstanding harbor system revenue bonds, with a rating outlook of “stable.”
While the port's outstanding debt balance is expected to rise in the short term with the anticipated borrowing of $260 million next fiscal year, leverage will remain supportive of the current rating given the port's high liquidity levels.
“Despite a sizeable capital plan that calls for additional borrowing, the harbor system is expected to maintain its historically robust financial profile with strong coverage, relatively low leverage, and high liquidity providing over 1,000 days cash on hand,” the report reads.
The port system has a natural monopoly on serving the Hawaiian Islands, offsetting the system’s exposure to tourism industry fluctuations. It also benefits from positive revenue trends from stable volume growth and an enacted tariff rate mechanism.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation recently earned a 'AA-' rating from Fitch Ratings on its $160.3 million of outstanding harbor system revenue bonds, with a rating outlook of “stable.”
While the port's outstanding debt balance is expected to rise in the short term with the anticipated borrowing of $260 million next fiscal year, leverage will remain supportive of the current rating given the port's high liquidity levels.
“Despite a sizeable capital plan that calls for additional borrowing, the harbor system is expected to maintain its historically robust financial profile with strong coverage, relatively low leverage, and high liquidity providing over 1,000 days cash on hand,” the report reads.
The port system has a natural monopoly on serving the Hawaiian Islands, offsetting the system’s exposure to tourism industry fluctuations. It also benefits from positive revenue trends from stable volume growth and an enacted tariff rate mechanism.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Hawaii Back Online After Olivia
By Karen Robes Meeks
Hawaiian harbors sustained minimal disruption following Tropical Storm Olivia and were able to open quickly after the storm, thanks to coordination efforts by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), US Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, the Captain of the Port and Hawaii Harbor Users Group.
“The protection of our state’s critical infrastructure requires the cooperation of many different agencies—from the FAA, and the airline industry to Federal Highways and emergency management at all levels of government,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “Our partners were all on standby during Olivia and we are thankful for their commitment to work together in emergencies.”
All commercial harbors resumed operations by 5 p.m. September 12.
“A key strategy in ensuring that cargo movement could resume as quickly as possible was the minimization of potential damage to harbor facilities,” according to the HDOT. “Prior to hurricane season, HDOT staff communicated with harbor users and made clear additional HDOT requirements to evacuate ports prior to Port Condition Zulu. These requirements, which include submission and HDOT approval of a heavy weather plan and confirmation of a tug assist for each vessel remaining in port, were reiterated to HDOT harbor users the week before the approach of Tropical Cyclone Olivia.”
Hawaiian harbors sustained minimal disruption following Tropical Storm Olivia and were able to open quickly after the storm, thanks to coordination efforts by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), US Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, the Captain of the Port and Hawaii Harbor Users Group.
“The protection of our state’s critical infrastructure requires the cooperation of many different agencies—from the FAA, and the airline industry to Federal Highways and emergency management at all levels of government,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “Our partners were all on standby during Olivia and we are thankful for their commitment to work together in emergencies.”
All commercial harbors resumed operations by 5 p.m. September 12.
“A key strategy in ensuring that cargo movement could resume as quickly as possible was the minimization of potential damage to harbor facilities,” according to the HDOT. “Prior to hurricane season, HDOT staff communicated with harbor users and made clear additional HDOT requirements to evacuate ports prior to Port Condition Zulu. These requirements, which include submission and HDOT approval of a heavy weather plan and confirmation of a tug assist for each vessel remaining in port, were reiterated to HDOT harbor users the week before the approach of Tropical Cyclone Olivia.”
Friday, January 26, 2018
New Hawaii Container Terminal
By Karen Robes Meeks
Gov. David Ige and the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division on January 17 celebrated the ground-breaking of the state commercial harbor system’s biggest capital improvement project, the $448 million Kapālama Container Terminal project.
“I’m proud to say the construction of the Kapālama Container Terminal Project is underway, and in four years we’ll have a new state-of-the-art cargo facility that will allow us to consolidate cargo operations, enhance operational efficiencies and improve cargo handling capacity. This will support our local economy while ensuring the continued flow of cargo to our communities through this distribution hub,” Ige stated.
The Kapālama Container Terminal is the heart of a plan to modernize the harbor. Considering that more than 80 percent of all goods consumed on the islands are imported, and more than 98.6 percent of that number moves through the state’s commercial harbor system, it is vital to maintain the shipping logistics to sustain the state.
“The Kapālama Container Terminal project is an investment in Hawaii’s future that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO of The Pasha Group. “The partnership we’ve cultivated with Gov. Ige’s administration has given us the confidence to invest in the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels. They will serve the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane, and construct infrastructure improvements unique to our Honolulu operation, including facilities and container gantry cranes. We look forward to the completion of this new terminal and our continued partnership and service to Hawaii’s communities,” he added.
Gov. David Ige and the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division on January 17 celebrated the ground-breaking of the state commercial harbor system’s biggest capital improvement project, the $448 million Kapālama Container Terminal project.
“I’m proud to say the construction of the Kapālama Container Terminal Project is underway, and in four years we’ll have a new state-of-the-art cargo facility that will allow us to consolidate cargo operations, enhance operational efficiencies and improve cargo handling capacity. This will support our local economy while ensuring the continued flow of cargo to our communities through this distribution hub,” Ige stated.
The Kapālama Container Terminal is the heart of a plan to modernize the harbor. Considering that more than 80 percent of all goods consumed on the islands are imported, and more than 98.6 percent of that number moves through the state’s commercial harbor system, it is vital to maintain the shipping logistics to sustain the state.
“The Kapālama Container Terminal project is an investment in Hawaii’s future that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO of The Pasha Group. “The partnership we’ve cultivated with Gov. Ige’s administration has given us the confidence to invest in the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels. They will serve the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane, and construct infrastructure improvements unique to our Honolulu operation, including facilities and container gantry cranes. We look forward to the completion of this new terminal and our continued partnership and service to Hawaii’s communities,” he added.
