Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 1. Government § 268-1

It being hereby declared that the establishment of a ferry system to provide the people of this State with an economic means of transportation is a public purpose, the department of transportation, hereinafter referred to as the department, may acquire by lease, charter, contract, purchase, condemnation, or construction, and partly by any or all of such means, and thereafter operate, improve, and extend, as a public undertaking and enterprise, a system of ferries between the islands of the State and connecting with the public streets and highways in the State, the system of ferries to include such boats, vessels, wharves, docks, approaches, landings, franchises, licenses, and appurtenances, as shall be determined by the department to be necessary or desirable for the efficient operation of a ferry system to best serve the public. In general the department shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out effectively the purpose and provisions of this chapter. The department may acquire by purchase, condemnation, or construction and include in such ferry system such approaches and connecting roadways as may be deemed by the department advantageous in channeling traffic to points served by the ferry system. The department may enter into any contracts, agreements, or leases with any person, firm, or corporation whether public or private and thereby provide, on such terms and conditions as it shall determine, for the operation of any ferry or ferries or system thereof, whether acquired by the department or not. The department may further exercise the power of eminent domain for the acquisition of either real or personal property, necessary for the ferry system.