Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-11
Verdict of Public Utilities Com
mission After Investigating
Lahaina Drowning

4 4 ) . l
That the drowning OF the two deck
passengers OF the steamship Kilauea
at Lahaina landing on the night OF
May ] could have been avoided, and
that II was the result Of negligence on
the part OF employees OF the lnter-1sl.
and Steam Navigation Company, was
the decision reached by the Public
Utilities Commission at its meeting
s. yesterday afternoon.
The meeting, which was lengthy was
by no means tiresome. for discussions
regarding the findings OF the commits
sion between Joseph 4. Sheedy OF the
Inter-Island Company; and Chairman
Charles r. Forbes and various mem
bers Of the commission waxed at times
exceedingly warm.
As first handed down. the findings
included a letter from Mr.. Sheedy and
a reply to the same by Chairman
Forbes, but on the advice OF Arthur
G. Smith,. deputy attorney-general.
these letters we're separated from the
findings and made a part OF the rec
o-ds.
!, Mr.. Sheedy's letter was accordingly
read before the commission before
formal notice was given In regard to
the findings. The letter. which was
very long. explained the landing place
at Lahaina, the position and function
OF the federal buoy as an indication
to captains OF anchorage ground, and
the common anchorages made by the
different boats OF the company.
In regard TO the drowning at La
hama, Mr.. Sheedy's letter says in
part:
"The records OF the company show
that this loss of life at Lahaina was
the first loss at any place in the isl
sands In 20 years. During this time we
! have carried more than 100000 pas
sengers, this loss representing .O002
Of one per cent OF the passengers
carried"
Then follow statements in regard
TO the efficiency of Inter-Island boat
men, the .seaworthiness OF the boats
sthemseives and their equipment, as
recognized by federal authorities.
Would Welcome information.
while the company. continues the
letter, would welcome any informa-
tion to throw light upon the accident
and in order 70 prevent repetition Of
this disaster. yet, in order that there
may be no Misrepresentation as 10 the
Jurisdiction OF the commission with
regard to the safety Of passengers, We
beg to call your attention to the fact
that the federal laws and regulations
with regard 10 shipping are exclusive
and that neither the Territory Of Ha-
wall nor any OF its political subdiri-
sions, boards or commissions, has at-
thority Of jurisdiction to add any bur
dcle whatsoever In this regard"
Il was this paragraph that seemed
to bnnD up hardest against Chairman
Forbes and the other members of the
commission.
IN reply to Mr.. Sheedy's letter Mr..
Forbes made answer, and at the con-
clusion of HIS reply recommended sew
eral suggestions for the consideration
OF the company.
These suggestions stated that only
boat steerers familiar with the island
landings be used, that all boats be in
charge Of a deck officer, that signals
be arranged between the Lahaina
wharf and vessel outside, that
searchlights be kept upon the boats
making landings. that the crew of
every ship be instructed as to its duty
in case of accident, that the lnter-Isl-
and company furnish the Public Utili.
ties Commission with information con-
cernfng the previous experience of
boat steerers. that the full names Of
all deck passengers be taken, and
that q iifeboat with proper equipment
be kept by the company at Lahafna
for immediate use in case OF accident.
=. When Mr.. sSheedy walked into the
repfing during the discussion which
te<e following the reading of the two
<t1Es, he met very much wroughtup
C[|j sof commissioners
Chairman Forbes tackled Mr.. Shee-
dy on hse Paragraph In his letter
which hinted at the limitations of the
utilities commission Ia regard to de-
eislons or suggestions rendered
Don't you think asked Mr.. Forbes,
-thanth commission knows what its
business isf"
Mr.. Sheedy was not sure of Il.
Well, can tell you that we do
rejoined the chairman with evident
heat.
Not Trying 10 interfere.
Mr.. Sheedy then made the distinc-
ton between the duties OF the COM
mission In the matter of fares, accom-
rsodations and service to passengers,
and the duties Of the commission in
the matter Of making rules for navi-
6NtACn AtAu tHS SClOuCI VI luc Crew.
Mr.. Forbes admitted that there was a
difference between the two. and said
that it was not the intent of the COM
mission 70 try to interfere in any way
sith federal statutes.
Mr.. Sheedy took exception to the
suggestion that names of deck passen-
gers should be secured He stated
that If accommodations hadto be pro-
- vided for such passengers they would
no longer be deck tray Itts, and would
be required TO pay second or Alitd
class rates, which he said wDsiad be
higher. He said further that the FED.
eraf laws did not require such names
unless passengers had staferoons.
The question proved a fruitful sub
ject for more hot discussion. Chairman
Forbes and the other commissioners
maintaining that the suggestion was