HI SB98

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to hold public hearings with notice at least 30 days in advance before approving water carrier applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity.

Mandates newspaper notice published at least three times on affected islands between 21 days before and 2 days before any public hearing on a water carrier application.

Establishes specific findings the commission must make before issuing a certificate, including that existing services are inadequate, proposed service meets quantifiable public needs, and benefits outweigh detrimental impacts to existing carriers' economies of scale and financial stability.

Prohibits the commission from issuing certificates that would diminish an existing carrier's ability to achieve its allowed rate of return or allow new applicants to serve only high-margin routes currently served by existing carriers.

Requires the commission to post all water carrier applications and related orders on its website within 24 hours and maintain them for at least 30 days, with descriptions of each document.