The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Transportation on Feb. 19, 2026.
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Feb. 19, 2026, 9 a.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 430 and Videoconference
To: House Committee on Transportation
Rep. Darius K. Kila, Chair
Rep. Tyson K. Miyake, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB2378 — RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports HB2378, which would exempt operators of wing-in-ground craft, or “seagliders,” from the state Public Utility Commission’s water carrier regulations.
Seagliders have the potential to revolutionize transportation in Hawaii by providing a low-cost, low-carbon and high-speed way to get between islands. They could fill an important niche in Hawaii’s transportation network and make it easier for residents to access healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
Seagliders are vessels that can operate on water while in harbors and fly above the water while in transit. They glide at extremely low altitudes over the water to take advantage of the ground effect.
The ground effect is a phenomenon in which an aircraft’s wings generate less drag when the aircraft is close to a surface, such as water. This makes seagliders more efficient than conventional planes.
Unfortunately, current law makes it unnecessarily difficult to operate seagliders in Hawaii. Because seagliders can operate on water while in harbors, they are regulated as water carriers, even though they operate more like aircraft.
Under the state’s water carrier law, most seaglider operators would have to receive a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the state Public Utilities Commission before operating in Hawaii. Receiving a certificate from the commission is a long and difficult process that would act as a significant barrier to entry for seaglider operators.[1]
Additionally, seaglider operators would have to receive the commission’s approval before modifying their routes or changing the rates that they charge customers. This would make it difficult for seaglider operators to keep up with the rapid pace of change in an emerging market.
Furthermore, this measure would not cause safety risks for Hawaii residents who might use seagliders in the future. As the bill notes, the U.S. Coast Guard already has regulations in place to ensure the safe operation of seagliders, making further regulation by the state Public Utilities Commission unnecessary.
Seagliders could elevate the quality of life in Hawaii, but if we want them to take off, we need to give them enough room to extend their wings.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] “PUC Case 2004-0180,” Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, accessed February 10, 2026.
