Committee advances bill exempting wing‑in‑ground "sea gliders" from water‑carrier oversight amid safety and public‑comment concerns

The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on April 1 voted to pass SB 2400, a bill that would exempt wing‑in‑ground craft used to transport passengers from the Hawaii Water Carrier Act and formally define that class of craft.

Michael Purl, regional director for North America at Regent Craft and a representative of the Hawaii Seaglider Initiative, said the craft would operate in a narrow "ground‑effect" envelope and that certification and safety protocols are being developed directly with the U.S. Coast Guard. "It's considered a type A wing‑in‑ground effect vessel," Purl said, noting the design has a roughly 65‑foot wingspan and typically operates about 40–50 feet above the water while reading wave heights and using radar, sonar and other sensors to avoid obstacles.

The Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs both testified in support and described the bill as an administrative clarification of which state agency has regulatory responsibility for pilotage and licensing. The PUC provided written comments and told the committee it supported the bill's intent but said it was unclear whether removing PUC oversight would eliminate a formal avenue for public interventions in the future.

Several members pressed industry witnesses and agency officials on who would respond to local safety, environmental or operational complaints once the craft began routine service. Proponents said that harbors would remain subject to DOT and DLNR rules (including harbor fees and local operational protocols), and that certification and recurring inspections would come through the Coast Guard and classification societies. "We work directly with the sector Coast Guard offices in the different regions," a Sea Glider representative said of the certification and maintenance process.

Committee member questions also focused on harbor readiness, operator decision rules for high‑wave windows, and community outreach. Proponents said they have done feasibility studies, set operational windows, and engaged environmental and cultural stakeholders (including Sierra Club, Surfrider and several Native Hawaiian organizations). They said procedural mechanisms such as public hearings and local harbor rules would remain available.

Chair Mattayoshi's recommendation to pass the bill "as is" was adopted by the committee; Representative Ilagan registered a formal reservation expressing ongoing concern about how the public would raise operational or environmental issues once operations begin. The committee set no additional state‑level safety regime in the bill; sponsors and witnesses emphasized federal certification and U.S. Coast Guard involvement as the primary safety pathway.

Next steps: SB 2400 will move to the next chamber per the committee's recommendation. The committee action was recorded as a pass with a recorded reservation.