HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2015-61, Draft 1COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUA’I
IR 1uti It No.2015-61,Draft 1
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF THE KAUA’I COUNTY
COUNCIL OVER THE INFLATED INTERISLAND AIRFARE RATES
CHARGED BY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES AND ENCOURAGING THE HAWAI’I
STATE LEGISLATURE TO ASSIST IN OFFERING RELIEF TO
INTERISLAND TRAVELERS BY INCENTIVIZING COMPETITION
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA’I,STATE OF
HAWAI’I:
WHEREAS,the people of Hawai’i and visitors alike,have long enjoyed the
uniqueness that each Hawaiian Island has to offer;and
WHEREAS,travel between the Hawaiian Islands has been vital in allowing
the sharing of cultural activities,various sports,educational,entertainment,and
business opportunities;and
WHEREAS,interisland travel has also allowed access to medical and dental
needs which may be unavailable to people on the outer islands,especially senior
citizens,as well as family members and friends who visit those who are receiving
medical care;and
WHEREAS,from 1946 through 2008,Hawai’i benefited by having two major
commercial airline companies in operation,Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines;
and
WHEREAS,the competitive nature of the airline business frequently resulted
in “fare wars”between the two airline companies,which offered the opportunity for
interisland air travel at rates that were comparatively affordable;and
WHEREAS,the existence of the two competing airline companies forced
airfares to stay within a reasonable rate throughout the year;and
WHEREAS,the operations of Aloha Airlines ceased as of March 31,2008,
leaving Hawaiian Airlines as the only large commercial airline company who has the
ability to monopolize interisland air travel in Hawai’i;and
WHEREAS,the resulting airfare commanded by Hawaiian Airlines has
inflated such that it has become cost prohibitive for a majority of the people in Hawai’i
to participate in interisland travel;now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA’I,
STATE OF HAWAI’I,that the Council of the County of Kaua’i (“Council”)encourages
the Hawai’i State Legislature to assist in offering relief to interisland travelers by
incentivizing competition for Hawaiian Airlines.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the Honorable President Barack H.Obama,the Honorable United States Senator
Mazie K.Hirono,the Honorable United States Senator Brian Schatz,the Honorable
United States Representative Mark Takai,the Honorable United States
Representative Tulsi Gabbard,Governor David Y.Ige,State Senate President Ronald
D.Kouchi,Speaker of the State House of Representatives Joseph M.Souki,State
Representative Derek S.K.Kawakarni,State Representative Daynette “Dee”
Morikawa,State Representative James Kunane Tokioka,Mayor Bernard P.
Carvaiho,Jr.,and Mark Dunkerley,President and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.
Introduced by:Is!ROSS KAGAWA
V:\RESOLUTIONS\20 14-2016 TERM\Resolution No.2015-61 Draft 1 CNT_dmc.docx
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