Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines LLC of California has filed an application with the state Public Utilities Commission to launch interisland services in Hawaii.

The application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity, filed on March 13, would allow Pasha Hawaii to transport automobiles and other cargo between Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and, on some occasions, Kauai, as well as between Hawaii and California.

Pasha Hawaii, based in Corte Madera, Calif., has since March 2005 focused mostly on transporting automobiles, motorcycles and rental cars between San Diego and Hawaii with its MV Jean Anne. It also ships boats and oversized equipment.

In its application, Pasha said it was not seeking any federal or state funding for additional facilities to launch its interisland service, but would be using the same ports it has used for the last four years. Pasha makes regularly scheduled service to the ports of Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo.

On occasion, Pasha also serves the ports of Nawiliwili and Barbers Point, based on customer demand.

Pasha Hawaii General Manager Reggie Maldonado declined to comment on the application.

PUC legal counsel Stacey Djou said no public hearing is required for the certificate. She said the PUC will see whether it receives opposition from other parties before making a decision. Intervenors have until 4:30 p.m. Monday to file.

If approved, Pasha Hawaii would provide significant competition for Honolulu-based Young Bros., which has been offering interisland cargo services in Hawaii for the last 100 years.

A Young Bros. spokesman said the company is evaluating the application.

Pasha says with the MV Jean Anne, it would be bringing a much larger vessel to the interisland trade, offering more than 140,000 square feet of enclosed cargo space, with adjustable decks. The MV Jean Anne can carry up to 3,500 automobiles per voyage.

Pasha Hawaii is also seeking PUC approval of its proposed rates of $166 and $327 for the one-way interisland transport of vehicles, depending on weight, with another $56 to $98 for the round-trip return. It also has proposed freight rates for cement, canoes and general cargo.

“;Pasha Hawaii is confident that it can provide its customers with high-quality, reliable interisland water transportation aboard the MV Jean Anne,”; said Pasha in its application.

Several letters of support came from Pasha's existing clients in the auto rental and construction industries.

The Pasha Group is a family-owned, privately held company headed by President and Chief Executive George Pasha IV, with 60 years in the transportation industry.

Currently, Pasha Hawaii contracts with Young Bros. to transport cargo to the islands where it does not provide service. Pasha said in its application that it will continue to hire Young Bros.' barges to carry cargos to other ports.