Gov. Ben Cayetano recently signed into law a bill authorizing the state to enter into capital advancement contracts with private parties to construct or improve state harbors and facilities at anchorage points. Predictably, nine international cruise line members in the
Gov. Ben Cayetano recently signed into law a bill authorizing the state to enter into capital advancement contracts with private parties to construct or improve state harbors and facilities at anchorage points.
Predictably, nine international cruise line members in the North West Cruiseship Association (NWCA) applauded Cayetano for signing the bill.
The association is concerned about the existing state of state harbors, and the state’s ability to meet future growth needs.
“The legislators that supported this bill and Governor Cayetano have taken a big step in addressing Hawai’i’s rapidly growing cruise industry,” said John Hansen, NWCA president.
“Improving the harbor facilities through private-party capital advancements will expedite some of the necessary improvement projects at Hawai’i harbors,” said Hansen.
The bill states that if private parties advance the funds to improve harbors, they may be reimbursed at a later date through a credit to their harbor fees or appropriations by the state Legislature.
Currently, Hawai’i receives about 2 percent of the world’s cruise industry business. The increasing number of cruise passengers has been the basis for cruise lines to look at expanding certain markets, he continued.
Hawai’i will receive almost double the amount of port calls from international cruise lines in next year as compared to this year.
The NWCA is a nonprofit association working on behalf of the nine members to build positive relationships with communities and government agencies, and to develop strong partnerships with communities and businesses in Hawai’i, Canada, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
