HSI Announces Completion of Harvard-Led Seaglider Feasibility Study
November 12, 2025
The Hawai‘i Seaglider Initiative (HSI) today announced the completion of its cornerstone Feasibility Study and Activation Reports during its final general meeting of 2025. The meeting highlighted major milestones in advancing sustainable Seaglider transportation for the State of Hawai‘i and reaffirmed HSI’s collaborative, community-first approach.
HSI revealed that Part IIB of the Feasibility Study, led by Harvard University and vetted by HSI members and collaborators, has now been finalized and delivered to HSI’s corporate members. This marks the full completion of the HSI Feasibility Study, which totals more than 570 pages of research, modeling, and analysis supporting Seaglider readiness across Hawai‘i’s harbors, energy systems, regulatory pathways, and community priorities.
Major findings and insight include the following:
· A new sampling of State residents found a baseline support for the introduction of a Seaglider service at 66% which jumped to over 82% among those familiar with Seagliders which indicates the
importance of awareness programs and the broad base of support for Seagliders.
· Wave and wind conditions allow for over 90% operability across harbors on O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, and the Island of Hawai‘i unlocking service for over 360,00 monthly interisland passengers.
· Up to 83% of State residents express the desire to take a Seaglider between their home island and another given an acceptable price point.
· 11 harbors studied in-depth showing potential operation areas, stakeholders, and regulatory pathways to operation to serve as the baseline for activation of an inter-island Seaglider network.
· Phased development of harbors and introduction of Seagliders is suggested with strategies for hub selection, infrastructure analysis, and passenger routing included.
In addition, HSI has completed 150 pages of Activation Reports, which provide actionable plans for Seaglider operation implementation across four focus areas: infrastructure, workforce development, resiliency, and community and culture. Together, these documents provide a blueprint for responsibly bringing next generation Seaglider transportation to Hawaiʻi, supporting local jobs, restoring inter-island connectivity, and honoring community priorities and island culture. HSI closes the year with 38 member organizations spanning community groups, corporate partners, and government agencies. In 2025, HSI also advanced its organizational foundation by formalizing fiscal sponsorship through the Pacific American Foundation (PAF).
HSI revealed that Part IIB of the Feasibility Study, led by Harvard University and vetted by HSI members and collaborators, has now been finalized and delivered to HSI’s corporate members. This marks the full completion of the HSI Feasibility Study, which totals more than 570 pages of research, modeling, and analysis supporting Seaglider readiness across Hawai‘i’s harbors, energy systems, regulatory pathways, and community priorities.
Major findings and insight include the following:
· A new sampling of State residents found a baseline support for the introduction of a Seaglider service at 66% which jumped to over 82% among those familiar with Seagliders which indicates the
importance of awareness programs and the broad base of support for Seagliders.
· Wave and wind conditions allow for over 90% operability across harbors on O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, and the Island of Hawai‘i unlocking service for over 360,00 monthly interisland passengers.
· Up to 83% of State residents express the desire to take a Seaglider between their home island and another given an acceptable price point.
· 11 harbors studied in-depth showing potential operation areas, stakeholders, and regulatory pathways to operation to serve as the baseline for activation of an inter-island Seaglider network.
· Phased development of harbors and introduction of Seagliders is suggested with strategies for hub selection, infrastructure analysis, and passenger routing included.
In addition, HSI has completed 150 pages of Activation Reports, which provide actionable plans for Seaglider operation implementation across four focus areas: infrastructure, workforce development, resiliency, and community and culture. Together, these documents provide a blueprint for responsibly bringing next generation Seaglider transportation to Hawaiʻi, supporting local jobs, restoring inter-island connectivity, and honoring community priorities and island culture. HSI closes the year with 38 member organizations spanning community groups, corporate partners, and government agencies. In 2025, HSI also advanced its organizational foundation by formalizing fiscal sponsorship through the Pacific American Foundation (PAF).
Looking Ahead: Community-Centered Action in 2026
Planning is underway for HSI’s 2026 program, which will center around community-driven events highlighting efforts across the four verticals. HSI is already collaborating with partners including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Chapter 1186 and the Pacific American Foundation to host its first event of 2026. “The Pacific American Foundation is honored to partner with the Hawai‘i Seaglider Initiative in advancing a vision rooted in sustainability, education, and equity,” said Kapono Ciotti, President & CEO of the Pacific American Foundation. “Together, we are building pathways for community engagement that uplift local voices and ensure innovation serves the people and environment of Hawaiʻi first. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside HSI and our shared partners in the year ahead.”
“This year marked a pivotal moment; we now have a complete, community-grounded feasibility framework for Seaglider adoption in Hawaiʻi,” said David Uchiyama, Co-Administrator of HSI. “Mahalo to our partners and members who helped make this possible. We are excited to move into a year of activation, where community engagement and real progress toward operations will take center stage.”
“HSI’s achievements this year reflect Hawaiʻi’s leadership in shaping the future of clean maritime mobility,” said Adam Triolo, Vice President of Commercial Business Development at REGENT. “These results were only possible because of deep collaboration across community, industry, and government. We are incredibly grateful for our partners and look forward to an action-packed 2026 as we move from planning into implementation.”
“This year marked a pivotal moment; we now have a complete, community-grounded feasibility framework for Seaglider adoption in Hawaiʻi,” said David Uchiyama, Co-Administrator of HSI. “Mahalo to our partners and members who helped make this possible. We are excited to move into a year of activation, where community engagement and real progress toward operations will take center stage.”
“HSI’s achievements this year reflect Hawaiʻi’s leadership in shaping the future of clean maritime mobility,” said Adam Triolo, Vice President of Commercial Business Development at REGENT. “These results were only possible because of deep collaboration across community, industry, and government. We are incredibly grateful for our partners and look forward to an action-packed 2026 as we move from planning into implementation.”
About the Hawaiʻi Seaglider Initiative
The Hawaiʻi Seaglider Initiative (HSI) is a consortium of stakeholders from local government, Hawaiʻi communities, and the private sector, working to increase understanding and adoption of Seagliders in Hawaiʻi with a focus on community, culture and the environment. HSI’s mission is to operationalize Seagliders in Hawaiʻi as an affordable and accessible transportation option for Hawaiʻi communities that will help modernize the state’s transportation network while meeting its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions targets.
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