County of Maui Ferry Program to hold four community meetings next month

As part of the ongoing Ferry Program, the County of Maui Department of Transportation is encouraging residents to attend community meetings throughout Maui Nui next month to discuss ferry service between Maui, Lānaʻi and eventually Molokaʻi.

“I strongly encourage residents on Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi to attend these meetings and make their voices heard. Your participation will help ensure that any future ferry service reflects the needs, values and priorities of the communities it is intended to serve,” County Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori said.

The four meetings are as follows:

• Wailuku – Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Velma McWayne Santos Community Center main hall
• Lahaina – Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center main hall
• Moloka‘i – Thursday, Sept. 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Mitchell Pauʻole Community Center
• Lāna‘i – Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to noon at Lāna‘i Senior Center

The community meetings will help prepare for a state-required environmental assessment of continued service to Lānaʻi, potential vessel acquisition and expanded service to Molokaʻi. The study will assess environmental, cultural and socioeconomic impacts and position the County and partner agencies to secure funding for expanded ferry service throughout Maui Nui.

For residents unable to attend in person, recordings of meetings will be available. For auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation needs at meetings, email public.transit@mauicounty.gov.

Residents may provide feedback and suggestions for the environmental study by emailing public.transit@mauicounty.gov.

The County Department of Transportation Ferry Program aims to preserve reliable, affordable ferry service between Maui and Lānaʻi and eventually expand service to Molokaʻi. A feasibility study completed in March 2025 found that a County-owned ferry system is possible to achieve. Now, an environmental study will be underway through 2027 to evaluate impacts and support future expansion.

For more information on the Ferry Program, visit www.mauicounty.gov/2937/Ferry-Program. For general information on the County Department of Transportation, visit www.mauicounty.gov/transportation.