January 16, 2012, by Brian Perry, The Maui News
Members of Maui County's state House delegation want to put more wind in the sails of the state's economic recovery. And they'll have their opportunity when legislators launch their three month lawmaking session at the Capitol.
"The general theme will be economic revitalization," said veteran Wailuku Rep. Joe Souki, who ticked off a list of agenda items aimed at accomplishing that: working with alternative energy developers and movie producers and supporting improvements to harbors, airports and highways.
Souki, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, reiterated his support for an inter-island ferry, despite an adverse Hawaii Supreme Court decision that sank the Superferry nearly three years ago.
He said he has received more than 3,800 signatures on petitions from people concerned about the high cost of inter-island travel and "want the ferry back in operation."
Souki said the state’s budget will be a challenge this year, “but we expect to come out with a balanced budget.”
“Gambling bills will be on the table for discussion, as we don’t see any major improvements in revenue increases in the near future,” he said.
Souki said the state continues to face challenges regarding its resources for the population’s needs for health and education.
He said he’s preparing a toll road bill for a possible public-private partnership for state highways, which would include the long-planned Kihei-Upcountry road, “inasmuch as the Fed has not shown any indication to fund the highway.”
Regarding the expansion of Hawaiian Airlines by adding flights at Kahului Airport, Souki said he supports creating a “Maui hub” to improve connections for both inter-island and Mainland destinations,
“It will help satisfy the air transportation needs of our growing population and increased visitor arrivals on Maui, plus it adds more of a focus on the Neighbor Islands and the importance of their role in our state’s economy,” he said.
