Molokai-Maui ferry adds fuel charge to ticket fare
WAILUKU » The ferry between Molokai and Maui is increasing its one-way fare to $68.40 from $42.40, effective today.
Sea Link of Hawaii said the increase was due to the rising cost of fuel.
Sea Link received authorization on June 30 from the state Public Utilities Commission to temporarily add a fuel surcharge to its ticket price, similar to the Hawaii Superferry and Young Bros.
Under the tentative rate restructuring, the fare could be adjusted up or down based on the cost of fuel.
The commission is scheduled to hold public hearings about permanently allowing Sea Link to impose a fuel surcharge.
The hearings are on Aug. 27 at Kaunakakai School cafeteria on Molokai and on Aug. 28 at Maui Waena Intermediate School cafeteria. Both start at 6 p.m.
Sea Link President David Jung said the fuel surcharge restructuring will not affect Molokai workers who have their fares subsidized by Maui hotels.
Under the subsidy, some 30 workers pay $25 each for a round trip.
Jung said the last fare increase was in 1995, and since then the price of diesel fuel has risen to $4.40 from $1 a gallon.
Fuel for two round trips a day, which once cost $500, now costs $2,200, Jung said.
"We can't take the losses any longer," Jung said. "If the tariff doesn't pass, we shut down."