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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0302.000 1998-2000 . e Wood 6i Tait Investigations • Adj~stmsnls John H. Wood Mona Lisa Wood Aresident Secretary/I'reasurer Stephen J. Tait Beverly Nagano Vice President Assistant Vice President Apri129,1999 Dominic Yagong Cotmty Council 25 Aupuni St, Suite #209 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Councilman Yagong: Per our telephone conversation with you on Apri128, 1999, enclosed are our investigation reports concerning investigations condt:cted on behalf of the County Of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency. Please contact us if you have any questions or if we may be of any further assistance. Sincerely, Wood & Tait, In . • to . T Vice President No. 3 o Z File No. P V B Ref. To:^ ~W PG MAY 2 0 lay;, Hawaii Maui Kauai Oahu Ref. Date 56 Waianuenue Avenue, Suite #215, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2474 Tel 808 969-7030 • Fax 808 969-7933 Email taitCa?ilhawaii.net i el • Wood 6c Tait InwNigoliom •!•djv4m~nM1 ~\v June 5, 1998 County Of Hawaii O Mass Transportation Agency Attn: Thomas Brown 630 E. Lanikaula Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 INVESTIGATION REPORT [Report No. 1] Re: Your Ref: Not Advised Client: County Of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency Our Ref: 03 CCI 8-80184E Exhibits: [1] $70.00 Receipt-Rainbow Taxi. [2] Business Card-Rainbow Taxi. [3] Business Card-J&W Taxi. [4] Business Card-Franco's Taxi [5] Business Card-Adolfo's Taxi. [6] 1998 Passenger Ship Schedule for Hilo Harbor. [7] 1998 Passenger Ship Schedule for Kailua-Kona. ASSIGNMENT Our assignment was to investigate taxi companies operating in Hilo to determine if they are operating within the rules and regulations of the Mass Transportation Agency. We are particularly interested to learn if taxi companies charge flat rate fares or group rates, rather than charging customers according to the meter in the cabs. DEVELOPMENTS Because of the concentration of taxi companies who solicit fares at Hilo Harbor Pier One, we elect to focus our investigation in this area. HARBOR MASTER We met with I Lilo ] larbor Master Ian Burnie who provided the following information: Hawaii Maui Kauai Oahu 820 Piilani St Sune x201, Htlo, Hawaii 96720-4600 Tel 808 969-7030 • F;ix ©08 909 1933 Email wthilo@ilhawaii.net June 5, 1998 ( Page #2 • Hilo Harbor has experienced an increase in the arrival of cruise ships, national and international, and an increase of taxis and tour buses to accommodate the tourists. • While he has no evidence, it is rumored that taxi companies at the pier are charging customers flat rates for island tours, turning off their cab meters. • Taxi companies are charging passengers inflated prices based on the number of customers riding in the cab rather than charging according to the meter. • Mr. Burnie provided the enclosed 1998 passenger ship schedule for Hilo Harbor and the pier in Kailua-Kona. INVESTIGATION February 26,1998 7:00 a m We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship SS Independence. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go on a tour of Hilo and return to the harbor. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi drivers of Kimo's and J & W. Both drivers tell us there is no flat rates and they charge strictly by the meter. Apri11,1998, 7:00 a.m. We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship Vistafjord. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to the Volcano Village and return to Hilo. There are six taxis parked at the pier, all mini vans. The taxi companies represented are Rainbow, Percy's, J &W ,Sid's, Franco's and Anuenue. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi drivers of Rainbow, J &W and Sid's. All three drivers tell us there is no flat rate to Volcano, and they charge strictly by the meter. Apri19 1998, 7. 0 a m We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship SS Independence. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to Akaka Falls in Honomu and return to Hilo. There are four taxi companies represented, Royal, Sid, Franco's, and Max. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi driver of Adolfo's Taxi. The driver is identified as John T. Neville. Mr. Neville tells us it will cost $85.00 to $90.00 for a tour to Akaka Falls, but that he will turn off the meter when it reaches $90.00 to guaranty his fare does not exceed this amount. W d S. Ta„ _ 03 CCI 8-80184E Ins County of Hawaii Office of Corporation Counsel June 5,1998 ` Page #3 7:41 a.m. We commence our ride to Akaka Falls with driver Neville in a white Pontiac station wagon, license HNO-992, with CHO57 on the bumper. While riding in the taxi, driver Neville tells us he will turn off the meter on the way back to Hilo. We go to Akaka Falls, park and walk the scenic trail to view the falls. We get back into the cab and begin our return to the Hilo Harbor. Enroute back to Hilo, we stop at the World Gardens and walk the garden trail. We begin our return to Hilo and we approached Hilo from the north, driver Neville voluntarily turns off his cab meter when it reads $89.25. We return to Hilo Harbor where we are dropped off. Our total fare is $89.25. We discontinue our investigation. April 11.1998 7.30 a m We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship Norwegian Dynasty. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to the Botanical Gardens in Onomea and return to Hilo. There are a number of taxi's lined up near the pier. The taxi companies represented are Rainbow, J & W, Jay's, Sid's, Franco's, Anuenue, Royal, Keoke's and Adolfo's. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi drivers of Rainbow, J & W, Franco's, Royal, Keoke's and Adolfo's. All drivers tell us there are no flat rates and they charge strictly by the meter. We discontinue our investigation. April 23.1998, 8:00 a.m. We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship SS Independence. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to Akaka Falls and return to Hilo. The taxi companies represented are Rainbow, Percy's, J &W ,Sid's, Franco's and Anuenue. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi drivers of Rainbow, J &W, Franco's and Sid's, soliciting fares for our ride to Akaka Falls. Each of the drivers quote a fare between $75.00 and $80.00, except the driver for J & W, who quotes a fare of $60.00. None of the drivers indicate they will charge a flat rate and it seems the fares quoted are based on the expected meter charge. Because the driver for J & W quoted the lowest fare, we elect to ride this taxi to Akaka falls to see if he will voluntarily turn off the meter. $•76 a•m. We commence our ride to Akaka Falls. Our driver is identified as Winston, address: P. O. Box 61, Keaau, Hi. 96749, cellular phone: (808) 895- 0955. Winston speaks with a heavy Filipino accent. We travel to Akaka falls and note the meter reads $61.00. In route back to Hilo, Winston takes us past the Botanical Gardens in Onomea and Rainbow Falls in Hilo which Winston tells us are "extras." On the way back to Hilo from Onomea, Winston W,x~d 6. Taii 03 CC[ 8-80184E Ins: County of Hawaii Office of Corporation Counsel June 5,1998 ( ( Page #4 voluntarily turns off his cab meter when it reads $76.00. We ask to be dropped off at the Hilo Downtown Post Office. Our total fare is $76.00. We discontinue our investigation. Apri130. 1998, 7:30 a m We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship Rhapsody Of The Seas and the SS Independence. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to the Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and then return to Hilo Harbor. The taxi companies represented are Rainbow, Percy's, J &W ,Sid's, Franco's and Anuenue. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi driver of Rainbow Taxi. The driver identifies himself as "Kimo" and quotes us $76.00 to go to Akaka Falls and $13.00 to go to Rainbow Falls. We elect to ride with Kimo to see if he will voluntarily turn off the meter in his cab during our ride. 8:09 a.m. We commence our ride to Akaka Falls. Our driver is idenflfied as Kimo Sabe, with cellular phone: (808) 896-1234, driving a mini van with license number EBR-524. Kimo is talkative and asks us if we want to take the Scenic Route assuring us that it will not cost any more. We proceed to Akaka Falls by way of Banyan Drive, stopping at Liliuokalani Park and Hilo Bayfront to take photographs. We travel through Downtown Hilo and proceed to Rainbow Falls where we again stop to take photographs. We proceed north out of Hilo Town, stopping to view the Honolii surfing beach. We go to Akaka Falls, park and walk the scenic trail to view the falls. We begin our return to Hilo and as we approach Hilo from the north, Kimo voluntarily turns off his cab meter when it reads $71.00. We return to Hilo Harbor where we are dropped off. Our total fare is $71.00, but Kimo charges us $70.00 as he quoted. We discontinue our investigation. May 14.1998 7.30 a m We commence our investigation at the Hilo Harbor Pier One with the arrival of cruise ship SS Independence. Our intention is to solicit taxi companies for a flat rate fare to go to the Volcano Village and return to Hilo. There are five taxis parked at the pier. The taxi companies represented are Rainbow, Percy's, J &W , Franco's and Anuenue. Walking with the crowd of ship passengers as they leave the ship and dressed similarly, we speak to the taxi drivers of Rainbow, J &W and Anuenue. All three drivers tell us there is no flat rate to Volcano, and they charge strictly by the meter. We discontinue our investigation. COMMENTS Based on our investigation today we believe the following facts are evident: W<~od 6~Tait 03 CCI 5-80184E [ns: County of Hawaii Office of Corporation Counsel June 5,1998 Page #5 • When soliciting fares before taking the cab ride, taxi drivers tell us they do not charge flat rates and charge customers strictly by the cab meter. • Once riding in the cab, some taxi drivers turn off the cab meter to reduce the fare. • Drivers for companies Rainbow Taxi, J & W Taxi and Adolfo's Taxi turned off the meter in their cabs charging us a compromised fare based on an earlier price quote. CURRENT ACTIVITY We have temporarily suspended our investigation not wanting to be too obvious by frequenting the Hilo Harbor area soliciting fares in a short time frame. Each day that we conducted our investigation we used different operatives, male and female, presenting a different style of dress and mannerism. Allowing time to pass, we suggest continuing our investigation until we ride in each taxi companies cab to determine which drivers voluntarily turn their meters off. We may also consider conducting our investigation at the Keahole Airport in Kailua-Kona. We suggest doing this over the next three months so not to draw attention to our investigation. Allowing you time to receive and review this report, we will contact you to discuss our continuing investigation. Submitted by, WOOD & TAIT, INC. Stephen J. Tait Vice President _ wwd s.-ra~~_ `-'~'-"~-r 03 CCI 8-80184E Ins: County of Hawaii Office of Corporation Counsel t - Wood &Tait ImrYipdion~ • AdiuYm~nh ~&w ~ ~ w raXf ~ . CepQuQox 895.0955 42esoiiu¢![ons. 982-9319 ~ •~tPwla lll~Sii11~8 ;.~Jaus 9doteQs ~o~Q~Jwde~a~t,;?4~Sw~ice Jll~l JA(/.Ci t- . :11 .?[ifa, 3fiPa, 3~Eaw~ya~ii ~ P oP.O. Box 61 9ef. 896-12 3e1.896-Jal ~(¢qnu, ~auroii 96749 ~ 'iF 'A" ~ . t cDuw~a ~~Tl,sf ~h• ~(m`_".`WY6 G •U /BLAND W/DE PERSONAL TOURS AIRPORT HOTELS LOCAL AREAS k _ ~~God 3,~ Mess CJs ' ' ' Cluenue Ja~xi ~ J`Zaue~vcu Jax% z. A.~;a,~.~,„::. ~ ~ _ 0110•$~~'~110Ur$ - Please call for reservations to return 24 hours m advance y~~p. al iri~n dars O1IC8p0 ~'O ,rte rc~c n x'°, , From ~To 89 b 19 ~'•.O(IV!(~ ; Date 7 ~D^ g Driver 'C- ~ MO ~ ~ (1 a Fa ~ f M ` ~ i' 959~0131,h a.. '~tin~v " a JS 9~ ~~kSS FRANCO'S TAXI O'S,9 ~ ON CALL OR RESERVATIONS ` ~~bda~aut PH: (808) ~36-2819 ~ ISf AND WIDE SER CES & TOURS 3fi"1Q" HONEST & DEPENDABT E y 5e1. 89G-1 4 3eF. 89G-5mr FARE - DRIVER /BLAND WIDE PERSONAL TOURS AIRPORT HOTEL LOCAL AREAS / MAHALO I ~~A CK S~n~d ~VO~~-~~ S Hawaii Maui Kauai Oahu 56 Waianuenue Avenue, Suite 17215, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2474 Tel 808 969-7030 • Fax BOS 969-7933 Email tail@ilhawaii.net 1998 Passenger Ship Schedule Hilo Harbor Date Ship Length/Pax Est Arr - Dpt Agent 1. 1/4 Sun DELPHIN (S1S' -500) 0800-1900 NLH 2. 4/1 Wed VISTAFJORD (62T - 650) 0700-1900 Inch 3. WTa°---aiin~r"n'ar `~^~(720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 4. 4/11 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1200-2000 Wal S. 4/22 Wed NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1200-2000 Wal 6. 4/24 Fri STATENDAM (720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 7. 4/28 Tue JUBILEE (733' - 1450) 0700-1800 Wal 8. 4/30 Thu RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS (91 S'-2000) 0700-1800 Wal 9. S/2 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1200-2000 Wal 10. S/3 Sun SKY PRINCESS (788' - 1200) 0800-1800 TMC I1. S/6 Wed JUBILEE (733' - 1450) 0700-1600 Wal 12. S/7 Thu SKY PRINCESS (788' - 1200) 0700-1800 TMC 13. S/8 Fri LEGEND OF THE SEAS (86S' - 1850) 0800-1800 Wal 14. S/9 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 0700-1800 Wal 1S. S/10 Sun RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS (91S' - 2000) 0700-1800 Wal 16. S/16 Sat LEGEND OF THE SEAS (86S' - 1850) 0700-1800 Wal 17. 6/23 Tue ASUKA (NYK) (623' - 610) 0900-1800 NLH 18. 9/1S Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1200-2000 Wal 19. 9/21 Mon CROWN PRINCESS (803' - 1650) 0700-1800 TMC 20. 9/2S Fri LEGEND OF THE SEAS (86S' - 8S0) 0700-]800 Wal 21. 9/2S Fri NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) ] 300-2000 Wal 22. 9/27 Sun CROWN PRINCESS (803' - 1650) 0700-1800 TMC 23. 10/1 Thu RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS (91S' - 2000) 1200-2200 Wal 24. 10/4 Sun LEGEND OF THE SEAS (86S' - 1850) 0700-1800 Wal 2S. 10/S Mon NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 26. 10/7 Wed JUBILEE (733' - 1450) 0700-1700 Wal 27. 10/10 Sat STATENDAM (720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 28. 10/11 Sun RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS (91S' - 2000) 0700-1800 Wal 29. 10/14 Wed JUBILEE (733' - 1450) 0700-1700 Wal 30. 10/16 Fri NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 31. 10/17 Sat CROWN PRINCESS (803'-1650) 0800-1800 TMC 32. 10/19 Mon CROWN PRINCESS (803' - 1650) 0800-1800 TMC 33. 10/26 Mon STATENDAM (720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 34. 10/26 Mon NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 3S. 1 I/6 Fri NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 36. 11/11' Wed STATENDAM (720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 37. 11/16 Mon NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 38. 11/23 Mon NORWEGIAN STAR (68S' - 848) 1300-2200 Wal 39. 11/27 Fri STATENDAM (720' - 1200) 0600-1800 Wal 40. 11/27 Fri NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (567' - 800) ]300-2000 Wal 4l. 12/7 Mon NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S6T - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 42. 12/18 Fri NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 43. 12/24 Thu LEGEND OF THE SEAS (86S' - 1850) 1100-2200 Wal 44. 12/28 Mon NORWEGIAN DYNASTY (S67' - 800) 1300-2000 Wal 1998 Passenger Ship Schedule Kailua -Kona 1. 1/22 Thu PAUL GAUGUIN 0800-1300 Inch 2. 1/24 Sat QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 0600-2359 Inch 3. 3/13 Fri VISTAFJORD 0700-1830 ~ NLH 4. 4/5 Sun STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 5. 4/12 Sun NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0700-1800 Wal 6. 4/16 Thu NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0700-1600 Wal 7. 4/21 Tue STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 8. 4/26 Sun NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0700-1600 Wal 9. 4/29 Wed JUBILEE 0700-1800 Wal 10. 5/1 Fri RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 11. 5/5 Tue JUBILEE 0700-1800 Wal 12. 5/7 Thu RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 13. 5/9 Sat LEGEND OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wa? 14. 5/10 Sun NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0700-1800 Wal I5. 5/15 Fri LEGEND OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 16. 9/15 Tue CRYSTAL HARMONY 0800-1700 NLH 17. 9/19 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 18. 9/22 Tue CROWN PRINCESS 0800-1800 TMC 19. 9/26 Sat LEGEND OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 20. 9/29 Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 21. 10/2 Fri RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 22. 10/5 Mon LEGEND OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 23. 10/6 Tue JUBILEE 0900-1800 Wal 24. 10/7 Wed STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 25. 10/10 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 26. 10/12 Mon RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 27. 10/15 Thu JUBILEE 0700-1700 Wal 28. 10/20 Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 29. 10/23 Fri STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 30. 10/31 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 31. 11/8 Sun STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 32. 11/10 Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 33. 11/21 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 34. 11/24 Tue STATENDAM 0630-1700 Wal 35. 12/1 Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 36. 12/12 Sat NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 37. 12/20 Sun CRYSTAL HARMONY 0800-1700 NLH 38. 12/22 Tue NORWEGIAN DYNASTY 0800-1800 Wal 39. 12/25 Fri LEGEND OF THE SEAS 0700-1800 Wal 40. 12/29 Tue SILVER CLOUD 0600-1800 Wal Wood 6LTait ~m.a, •.,a;~a~. John H. Wood Mona Lisa Wood President Secretary/Treasirer Stephen. Tait Beverly Nagano Vice President Assistant Vice President August 14,1998 County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency Attn: Thomas Brown 630 E. Lanikaula Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 INVESTIGATION REPORT [Report No. 2] Re: Your Ref: Not Advised Client: County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency Our Ref: 03 CCI 8-80184E Exhibits: [8] Business Card/Receipt-Island Wide Taxi. [9] Business Card/Receipt-Percy's Taxi. [10] Business Card/Receipt-Jane's Taxi. [ll] Business Card/Receipt-Kona Taxi. [12] Business Card/Receipt-Sid's Taxi. [13] Business Card/Receipt-Hilo Harry's Taxi. [14] Business Card/Receipt-Ace One Taxi. [15] Business Card/Receipt-C & C Taxi. [16] Business Card/Receipt-Marina Taxi. [17J Business Card/Receipt-Al Bob's Taxi. [18] Business Card/Receipt-Paradise Taxi. [19] Business Card/Receipt-YYY Enterprises. [20] Business Card/Receipt-Mauka Taxi. [21] Business Card/Receipt-Paradise Taxi. [22] Business Card/Receipt-Laura's Taxi. [23] Business Card/Receipt-Marina Taxi. Hawaii Maui Kauai Oahu 56 Waianuenue Avenue, Suite #215, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2474 Tel 808 969-7030 • Fax 606 969-7933 Email tart@ilhawaii.net August 14,1998 ~ Page #2 ACKNOWLEDGMENT This will acknowledge our meeting with Councilman Dominic Yagong on July 13,1998. We are instructed to continue our investigation to include taxi companies in west Hawaii as well as east Hawaii. We are instructed to determine: • Do taxi drivers take the most direct route to their customer requested location. • Do taxi drivers charge the meter fare. • Do taxi drivers offer flat rate fares. INVESTIGATION July 16.1998. 11:00 a.m. We contact Island Wide Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo International Airport to the Wild Ginger Inn, located in the Puueo area of Hilo. Our driver's name is Jessie. From the Hilo International Airport our driver travels on Kekuanaoa Street, Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, and Wainaku Avenue to the Wild Ginger Inn. This is the most direct route from the airport to our destination. Jessie charges a $10.75 fare, which is the cab meter charge. July 16,1998, 11:55 a.m. We contact Percy's II Taxi for a taxi ride from the Wild Ginger Inn in Hilo to the Hilo International Airport. Our driver's name is Darrell. From the Wild Ginger Inn our driver travels on Wainaku Avenue, Kinoole Street, Waianuenue Avenue, Kamehameha Avenue, Kanoelehua Avenue, and Kekuanaoa Avenue to the airport. This is a slightly longer route than that chosen by our previous driver. The fare is $12.00, which is the cab meter charge. July 22~ 1998 10.30 a m We contact YYY Enterprises for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in north Kona to the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona town. Our driver's name is Rikuo. From the Keahole Airport our driver travels on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, Kuakini Highway, Hualalai Road, and Alii Drive to the Royal Kona Resort. This is the most direct route from the airport to our destination. The fare is $23.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute, we ask about the cost of a one way trip from Kailua-Kona to Hilo. Our driver tells us the meter charge would be approximately $250.00, but that he is willing to take us from Kailua-Kona to Hilo for a flat rate of $125.00. Wood 6~Tatc 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency r- (J August 14,1998 Page #3 iuly 22.1998. 11:22 a.m. We contact Mauka Taxi for a taxi ride from the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona to the Kona Surf Resort in Keauhou, Kona. Our driver's name is Vida. We travel on Alii Drive from the Royal Kona Resort to the Kona Surf Resort, which is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $15.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute to the Kona Surf Resort, we asked about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea. Vida tells us the meter charge would be approximately $90.00. We inquire if a flat rate charge is possible, and she offers a guaranteed flat rate of $70.00. July 22,1998, 12:15 p.m. We contact Paradise Taxi for a taxi ride from the Kona Surf Resort in Keauhou, Kona to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Brad. We travel on Alii Drive, Kam III Road, Kuakini Highway, and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the Keahole airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $35.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute to the airport, we ask about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea from the Kona Surf Resort. Brad tells us the meter charge will be approximately $120.00. When we ask about a flat rate charge, Brad immediately tells us he is unable to charge flat rates. He states all fares are charged according to the cab meter because of State and County regulations. July 22, 1998.1.10 m We contact Laura's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in North Kona to the to the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua- Kona town. Our driver's name is Willie. From the Keahole Airport our driver travels on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, and Alii Drive to the Royal Kona Resort. The roads traveled are a slight variation from our previous route with YYY Enterprises, but an acceptable route from the airport to our destination. The fare is $22.00, which is the cab meter charge. Enroute to the airport, we ask about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea from the airport. Willie tells us the meter charge will be approximately $100.00. When we ask about a flat rate charge, Willie states he is unable to charge flat rates but will be able to offer us a 20% Kamaina discount off the cab meter charge. July 22,1998. 2.00 p m We contact Marina Taxi for a taxi ride from the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona town to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Fred. We travel on Alii Drive, Hualalai Road, Kuakini Highway, Makala Blvd., and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the Keahole Airport. The roads traveled are a slight variation via s~ra{~ `"d"•^'"*~' 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency (r Pa a #4 August 14,1998 $ from our previous route with Laura's Taxi, a slightly longer route, but an acceptable route from the Royal Kona Resort to our destination. The fare is $25.00, which is the cab meter charge. Enroute to the airport we inquire about the cost of a cab ride to Waimea. Our driver states it will cost approximately $100.00. We ask if a flat rate charge is possible. Fred tells us he can only charge according to the cab meter, and it is illegal to charge flat rate fees. iuly 22.1998, 10:20 a.m. We contact Jane's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in North Kona to the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town. Our driver's name is Jane. We travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road to the Hotel, which is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $18.50, which is the cab meter charge. We ask Jane about the cost of a taxi ride around the island. Jane tells us the cab meter fare will be approximately $650.00, but that she would discount it for a flat rate fee of $400.00. iuly 22,1998, 11:30 a.m. We contact Kona Taxi for a taxi ride from the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town, to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Harry. From King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel we travel on Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.00, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island. Harry tells us the cab meter cost will be approximately $680.00, but that he would take us around the island for a flat rate of $35.00 per hour. iuly 27.1998, 10:30 a.m. We contact Sid's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo International Airport to the Hilo Medical Center. Our driver's name is John. From the Hilo International Airport our driver travels on Kekuanaoa Street, Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street and Waianuenue Avenue to the Hilo Medical Center. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $14.75, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride from Hilo to the Keahole Airport in Kona. We also ask about the cost of a taxi ride from Hilo around the island. John tells us that he goes strictly by the meter. He said it would cost approximately $160.00 to the airport in Kona, and over $400.00 to go around the island. Wood 6~Taic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency r August 14,1998 ~ Page #5 July 27,1998, 11:10 a.m. We contact Hilo Harry's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo Medical Center to the Hilo International Airport. Our driver's name is Billy. From the Hilo Medical Center our driver travels on Waianuenue Avenue, Kinoole Street, Hualalai Street, Kilauea Avenue, and Kekuanaoa Street to the airport. We believe this is one of the shortest routes to our destination. The fare is $13.75, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island and Billy states that he goes by the cab meter only. Billy tells us it will cost approximately $400.00 to $500.00 to go around the island. iuly 27,1998. 11:44 a.m. We contact Ace-One Taxi for around-trip taxi ride from the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo to the Hilo Medical Center, and back to the Naniloa Hotel. Our driver's name is Mike. From the Naniloa Hotel we travel on Banyan Drive, Lihiwai Street, Kamehameha Avenue, and Waianuenue Avenue to the Hilo Medical Center. This is the shortest route to our destination. We stop briefly, go into the medical center, and get back into the cab. We return to the Naniloa Hotel following the same route. The fare is 20.25, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island and Mike tells us he goes by the cab meter only. Mike advises us we should rent a car because it will be much cheaper as a taxi ride would cost over $500.00 to drive around the island. August 4,1998 10.35 a m We contact C&C Tazi for a taxi ride from the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Harvey. From King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel we travel on Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.25, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about rates for a taxi ride to site see the island. Harvey tells us he is supposed to leave the meter on to show the customer is not being over charged, but would charge us a flat rate of $90.00 for the "Kona coffee tour" that is a tour of the south Kona area of the Big Island. Harvey advises an all island tour would be approximately $500.00 but offers a flat rate of $350.00 or $35.00 per hour, which ever is less. August 4,1998 12.50 p m We contact Marina Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport to Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Our driver's name is Admar. Wood 6cTatc 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency ! f August 14,1998 Page #6 From the airport we travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, and Alii Drive to the Hotel. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.75, which is the cab meter charge. We inquire about the cost of an around the island tour. Admar asks how many will be in our party. We reply four. Admar tells us the meter charge will be approximately $600.00, and quotes us a flat rate of $400.00. He asks us to tell our friends that Admar quoted $400.00 for a tour. August 5.1998, 11:00 a.m. We contact A-1 Bob's Taxi for a taxi ride from the post office in downtown Hilo to the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Our driver's name is Bob. We travel on Waianuenue Avenue, Kamehameha Avenue, Lihiwai Street, and Banyan Drive to the hotel. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $6.50, which is the cab meter charge. During transport, we ask if he could suggest a tour group. He mentions Roberts Hawaii Tours. We ask if taxis ever provide that kind of service. Bob tells us it will be less expensive to use a tour bus. For a flat rate of $250.00, he will do a tour of east Hawaii. If we include the Kona coast, it will cost an additional $100.00. August 5,1998. 11:48 a.m. We contact Percy's Five Taxi for a taxi ride from Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel to the Koehnen's Interiors store in Hilo. Our driver's name is Manny. We travel on Banyan Drive, Lihiwai Street, Kamehameha Avenue and Waianuenue to Koehnen's. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $5.50, which is the cab meter charge. During transport, we ask if he could suggest someone who could give us an island tour. Manny states that he provides tours. He quotes a flat rate for a tour of the entire island, including the waterfalls, various orchid gardens, the Volcano area, Waimea and Kona, for $45.00 per hour. He indicates this will be a six to seven hour tour. Manny tells us once we arrive at Volcano, his cab is considered a commercial vehicle and there will be an additional $30.00 to $35.00 fee. We are not clear how to interpret this, but Manny indicates this will be a charge additional to the $45.00 per hour quoted to us. August 12,1998 10.50 a m We contact Paradise Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport to the Kona Country Club in Keauhou, Kona. Our driver's name is Karl. We travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kuakini Highway, Kam III Road, and Alii Drive to Kona Country Club. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $35.75, which is the cab meter charge. Wood 6~Taic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency r August 14,1998 Page #7 While driving, we ask about the availability of tours. Karl tells us this is possible, but it would have to be arranged through his company office. The fare would be based on whatever the meter rate is with the possibility of a 10% to 20% discount. For a group of four or less, it will be much more financially feasible to go on a tour bus. If the group is approximately six to seven people, it might be more cost effective to hire a taxi for such a service. CURRENT ACTIVITY Allowing you time to receive and review this report, we will contact you to discuss our continued investigation. Submitted by, WOOD & TAIT, INC. Stephen J. Tait Vice President SJT:pc cc: Dominic Yagong vc~a s~~-at~ 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency i PARADISE TAXI P O Box 2224 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 tii ~ 329-1234 • 326-1234 ~ ~ i" 325-0213 (FAX) ~ -gyp a Please ~5k IOr ~ ' ~ vrsr ~.~*+s 96750 a M MARINA TAXI YYY Enterprises, Inc. Sight Seeing & Tours , Rikuo Takizawa SERVING Radio Dispatched Tel: ~ _ e ~ KONA ~ ^ ^ _ ~ ~ ~ ~ ($OS) 895-1325 Cellular Ly (808) 325-1828 Fax ~`i~, k~J~~,~ 1'l<•asc Askl~'or vo Box33s7 _ - - _ - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii ~~lJ l ~/V ruc>> ci.niznvni.i, i~~„~ otllre Box a72o 9(,745 U.S.A. Ciu~nor/pp~ra[or Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745-4720 ~~~s± C ~ ~'.t_ OFFICE (808)326-5461 CELL: (808) 936.9431 LAURA' TAXI SPECIALIZING IN ISLAND TOURS! Dale 7/.?.~~~ ,~~/L.4r nmuunl OUR DIRECTOR MAUKA TAX[ 323-9000 HOTEL • A[RPORT • TOURS vouR oeru~x - , ,':~i~-er P.0. Bar 2302 • BaWkekw. BanaO %750 Taxi 3~ ~ ~g ; ~ s o9 as ,o Taxi Receipt . q~ ~ e Airport Pickups ~ •7 Date Area Servicing ' From T • HILO • VOLCANO ~ ~I [°~mount •HAMAKUA I 1/ For Reservations 963-5470 P.O. Box 4411 Hilo, HI 96720 ~ '~-a~'. ~e /n ~P 0. ~d ox 2224 L 1S" ~a/luo-~Cona. ~emeii 96745 J O> ,i>i:;.f ; ' (808) 32]-]234 ~1 ispoicb n ,a (808) 334-1234 O~/ice Y` (j (808) 326-9747 Feu MARINA TAXI M Sight Seeing & Tours Radio Dispatched ~ ~ SERVIN(; ^/o //1A /x1 1I~ I~ ~S KONn C ~ ! ~ L'T V ~ 1-/ qq~, Plea e Ask or_ O~' FRED CLARAVAI,I, Posl OO~ice Box 4720 O~cncr/Opera loi KaiLin Km;:~,. l lawait 96745-4720 ~Lcc--~ ue~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _ ~~~7 (~~-s ~ -~,~c--~ ~ x l 2 ~ ~c r- ~ ~A ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ f~~~ ~ ~ nce oNe rnxl ~ ~ ~ R Nils Non M ilo, Now~'MRO ~ IYvmo t 9J5 BJ03 ' TAXI-RECEIPT u.,,, 7-,~7- ~8 ~I ~ ~3 P r~ r.,..~,,,•~,, t ~ ~ 2 \ , !1, i,,~, .ao..z.5 - - - I n.„~~~ _ i~u~7r-~ _ d z.. 9 .~~5* ~ p ti ~ IS ,~~~pecializing'm~,. ours r- ~~'~Dnveru~+-~ t'~ r ~,,M'----- o / / ~ TEI.ILPHONE I+AX In ~ 1-808-935-7091 1-808-961-4678 lllY~~~ )~2~I `~Y rza xxs. HIl.o HARRY~S TAXI 1910 KINOOLE 4T. Dx~ve Fiiiq. NI 88~4O PHf'CO 5Y5TEH PftkKIHG HILO IHTL AIRPIIHT HILO HI %7`l0 O?I?7W8 11: I_G 1 AJ 2 Ta~n~1?G;;S_ G1d1C w4Tt ; '~~1~''~ t IUCdI Eft ~ :~-(QI 1 ~fL3!N?Y r~.i: n.llii ~ HAWiI ~ ~ ~I~iE F?;H ~ f+ _ - r , .i ; ~ r` v ~f:O>mm'-1 i y_. `''amm" ~kyNb ~ _ _ r- s .k,• (n O W ~ ~ . _s'~ 'Y d Vwi W W I 1 , ~ ONO VNi I~ s, 1 F xA f ~ a ~ ~ ~ ~ fi fJ W 7c v ~ ~ ~ N N w. p ~ ~ ~ h~ ~ A ~ S C j~g ~ ~ ~yy~~~ y ~ S .NA W J N~ ~ i$ ~ yR' Q r• J ~ N~l~~ a ~ I pN~ d rt1 s.~ ~ ~ k I v 1" m ~ ~ Np D ~#6~~~, n Y ~Ra'_ J V ~ ' j "11 ? n n ~ - ~ o ~v° v p F .C /yam o L Q ~ . ro V' cam, m ~rr,F•'. :y', ~ v ~ m o ~ ~ o c° x i ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ ~ i Z ~ Q tic i ~ i ~ ~ O h 04 l p. ld`~4~'r; ~ ~Y ~ ~ jai N is c i~ C 11 I ~ ~ ~ J 1 C~ s ~ ~ ~ ~ x ~ _ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o a of"fir _ ~ W ~ ~ 0 ? X111 ~ ~nppl 7 a Fs ~~n;. O. ! ' ~ 4L r~Y ~ yy WW - o^o a N ~ J a }~4 E'..~+' , _ ~ i z tom` . n ~ ~ ~ J W ~ 4~v RJj~ ` o j ~ it ~ ~ ~ _ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~r M ~~1 -.~1, 1 : S~` 'v'tint ~ y ~I oC ~ Q ~ 1, '~~~t,~~~_: ~ ~ ~ ; Q N ~ry i°,; ~ ~ ~ c o ~ Q o e ~ Wood &Tait Im~Mipalion~ • Adju0m~n1~ John H. Wood Mona Lisa Wood President Secretary/Treasurer Stephen. Tait Beverly Nagano Vice President Assistant Vice President August 14, 1998 County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency Attn: Thomas Brown 630 E. Lanikaula Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 INVESTIGATION REPORT [Report No. 2] Re: Your Ref: Not Advised Client: County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency Our Ref: 03 CCI 8-80184E Exhibits: [8] Business Card/Receipt-Island Wide Taxi. [9] Business Card/Receipt-Percy's Taxi. [10] Business Card/Receipt-Jane's Taxi. [ll] Business Card/Receipt-Kona Taxi. [12] Business Card/Receipt-Sid's Taxi. [13] Business Card/Receipt-Hilo Harry's Taxi. [14] Business Card/Receipt-Ace One Taxi. [15] Business Card/Receipt-C & C Taxi. [16] Business Card/Receipt-Marina Taxi. [17] Business Card/Receipt-Al Bob's Taxi. [18] Business Card/Receipt-Paradise Taxi. [19] Business Card/Receipt-YYY Enterprises. [20] Business Card/Receipt-Mauka Taxi. [21] Business Card/Receipt-Paradise Taxi. [22] Business Card/Receipt-Laura's Taxi. [23] Business Card/Receipt-Marina Taxi. Q~ oQ 0 C~ Hawaii Maui Kauai Oahu 56 Waianuenue Avenue, Suite #215, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-2474 Tel 808 969-7030 • Fax 808 969-7933 Email fait@ilhawaii.nel August 14,1998 Page #2 ACKNOWLEDGMENT This will acknowledge our meeting with Councilman Dominic Yagong on July 13,1998. We are instructed to continue our investigation to include taxi companies in west Hawaii as well as east Hawaii. We are instructed to determine: • Do taxi drivers take the most direct route to their customer requested location. • Do taxi drivers charge the meter fare. • Do taxi drivers offer flat rate fares. INVESTIGATION July 16,1998, 11:00 a.m. We contact Island Wide Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo International Airport to the Wild Ginger Inn, located in the Puueo area of Hilo. Our driver's name is Jessie. From the Hilo International Airport our driver travels on Kekuanaoa Street, Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, and Wainaku Avenue to the Wild Ginger Inn. This is the most direct route from the airport to our destination. Jessie charges a $10.75 fare, which is the cab meter charge. July 16,1998, 11:55 a.m. We contact Percy's II Taxi for a taxi ride from the Wild Ginger Inn in Hilo to the Hilo International Airport. Our driver's name is Darrell. From the Wild Ginger Inn our driver travels on Wainaku Avenue, Kinoole Street, Waianuenue Avenue, Kamehameha Avenue, Kanoelehua Avenue, and Kekuanaoa Avenue to the airport. This is a slightly longer route than that chosen by our previous driver. The fare is $12.00, which is the cab meter charge. July 22 1998 10.30 a m We contact YYY Enterprises for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in north Kona to the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona town. Our driver's name is Rikuo. From the Keahole Airport our driver travels on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, Kuakini Highway, Hualalai Road, and Alii Drive to the Royal Kona Resort. This is the most direct route from the airport to our destination. The fare is $23.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute, we ask about the cost of a one way trip from Kailua-Kona to Hilo. Our driver tells us the meter charge would be approximately $250.00, but that he is willing to take us from Kailua-Kona to Hilo for a flat rate of $125.00. Wood 6cTaic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency August 14,1998 Page #3 July 22,1998. 11:22 a.m. We contact Mauka Taxi for a taxi ride from the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona to the Kona Surf Resort in Keauhou, Kona. Our driver's name is Vida. We travel on Alii Drive from the Royal Kona Resort to the Kona Surf Resort, which is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $15.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute to the Kona Surf Resort, we asked about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea. Vida tells us the meter charge would be approximately $90.00. We inquire if a flat rate charge is possible, and she offers a guaranteed flat rate of $70.00. July 22,1998, 12:15 ~.m. We contact Paradise Taxi for a taxi ride from the Kona Surf Resort in Keauhou, Kona to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Brad. We travel on Alii Drive, Kam III Road, Kuakini Highway, and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the Keahole airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $35.00, which is the cab meter charge. While enroute to the airport, we ask about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea from the Kona Surf Resort. Brad tells us the meter charge will be approximately $120.00. When we ask about a flat rate charge, Brad immediately tells us he is unable to charge flat rates. He states all fares are charged according to the cab meter because of State and County regulations. July 22,1998.1:10 p.m. We contact Laura's Tazi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in North Kona to the to the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua- Kona town. Our driver's name is Willie. From the Keahole Airport our driver travels on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, and Alii Drive to the Royal Kona Resort. The roads traveled are a slight variation from our previous route with YYY Enterprises, but an acceptable route from the airport to our destination. The fare is $22.00, which is the cab meter charge. Enroute to the airport, we ask about the cost of a one way trip to Waimea from the airport. Willie tells us the meter charge will be approximately $100.00. When we ask about a flat rate charge, Willie states he is unable to charge flat rates but will be able to offer us a 20% Kamaina discount off the cab meter charge. Iuly 22,1998, 2:00 p.m. We contact Marina Taxi for a taxi ride from the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona town to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Fred. We travel on Alii Drive, Hualalai Road, Kuakini Highway, Makala Blvd., and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the Keahole Airport. The roads traveled are a slight variation Wood 6iTatt 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency August 14,1998 Page #4 from our previous route with Laura's Taxi, a slightly longer route, but an acceptable route from the Royal Kona Resort to our destination. The fare is $25.00, which is the cab meter charge. Enroute to the airport we inquire about the cost of a cab ride to Waimea. Our driver states it will cost approximately $100.00. We ask if a flat rate charge is possible. Fred tells us he can only charge according to the cab meter, and it is illegal to charge flat rate fees. July 22,1998, 10:20 a.m. We contact Jane's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport in North Kona to the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town. Our driver's name is Jane. We travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Palani Road to the Hotel, which is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $18.50, which is the cab meter charge. We ask Jane about the cost of a taxi ride around the island. Jane tells us the cab meter fare will be approximately $650.00, but that she would discount it for a flat rate fee of $400.00. July 22,1998, 11:30 a.m. We contact Kona Taxi for a taxi ride from the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town, to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Harry. From King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel we travel on Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.00, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island. Harry tells us the cab meter cost will be approximately $680.00, but that he would take us around the island for a flat rate of $35.00 per hour. July 27.1998. 10:30 a.m. We contact Sid's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo International Airport to the Hilo Medical Center. Our driver's name is John. From the Hilo International Airport our driver travels on Kekuanaoa Street, Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street and Waianuenue Avenue to the Hilo Medical Center. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $14.75, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride from Hilo to the Keahole Airport in Kona. We also ask about the cost of a taxi ride from Hilo around the island. John tells us that he goes strictly by the meter. He said it would cost approximately $160.00 to the airport in Kona, and over $400.00 to go around the island. VGbod 6cTaic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency August 14,1998 Page #5 Iuly 27,1998, 11:10 a.m. We contact Hilo Harry's Taxi for a taxi ride from the Hilo Medical Center to the Hilo International Airport. Our driver's name is Billy. From the Hilo Medical Center our driver travels on Waianuenue Avenue, Kinoole Street, Hualalai Street, Kilauea Avenue, and Kekuanaoa Street to the airport. We believe this is one of the shortest routes to our destination. The fare is $13.75, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island and Billy states that he goes by the cab meter only. Billy tells us it will cost approximately $400.00 to $500.00 to go around the island. jKly 27 1998 11.44 a m We contact Ace-One Taxi for around-trip taxi ride from the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo to the Hilo Medical Center, and back to the Naniloa Hotel. Our driver's name is Mike. From the Naniloa Hotel we travel on Banyan Drive, Lihiwai Street, Kamehameha Avenue, and Waianuenue Avenue to the Hilo Medical Center. This is the shortest route to our destination. We stop briefly, go into the medical center, and get back into the cab. We return to the Naniloa Hotel following the same route. The fare is 20.25, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about the cost of a taxi ride around the island and Mike tells us he goes by the cab meter only. Mike advises us we should rent a car because it will be much cheaper as a taxi ride would cost over $500.00 to drive around the island. August 4 199$ 10.35 a m We contact C&C Taxi for a taxi ride from the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona town to the Keahole International Airport in north Kona. Our driver's name is Harvey. From King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel we travel on Palani Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway to the airport. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.25, which is the cab meter charge. We ask about rates for a taxi ride to site see the island. Harvey tells us he is supposed to leave the meter on to show the customer is not being over charged, but would charge us a flat rate of $90.00 for the "Kona coffee tour" that is a tour of the south Kona area of the Big Island. Harvey advises an all island tour would be approximately $500.00 but offers a flat rate of $350.00 or $35.00 per hour, which ever is less. August 4,1998, 12:50 p.m. We contact Marina Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport to Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel in Kailua-Kona. Our driver's name is Admar. Wood 6c Taic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency August 14,1998 Page #6 From the airport we travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Palani Road, and Alii Drive to the Hotel. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $19.75, which is the cab meter charge. We inquire about the cost of an around the island tour. Admar asks how many will be in our party. We reply four. Admar tells us the meter charge will be approximately $600.00, and quotes us a flat rate of $400.00. He asks us to tell our friends that Admar quoted $400.00 for a tour. August 5.1998, 11:00 a.m. We contact A-1 Bob's Taxi for a taxi ride from the post office in downtown Hilo to the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. Our driver's name is Bob. We travel on Waianuenue Avenue, Kamehameha Avenue, Lihiwai Street, and Banyan Drive to the hotel. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $6.50, which is the cab meter charge. During transport, we ask if he could suggest a tour group. He mentions Roberts Hawaii Tours. We ask if taxis ever provide that kind of service. Bob tells us it will be less expensive to use a tour bus. For a flat rate of $250.00, he will do a tour of east Hawaii. If we include the Kona coast, it will cost an additional $100.00. August 5,1998, 11:48 a.m. We contact Percy's Five Tazi for a taxi ride from Uncle Billy's Hilo Bay Hotel to the Koehnen's Interiors store in Hilo. Our driver's name is Manny. We travel on Banyan Drive, Lihiwai Street, Kamehameha Avenue and Waianuenue to Koehnen's. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $5.50, which is the cab meter charge. During transport, we ask if he could suggest someone who could give us an island tour. Manny states that he provides tours. He quotes a flat rate for a tour of the entire island, including the waterfalls, various orchid gardens, the Volcano area, Waimea and Kona, for $45.00 per hour. He indicates this will be a six to seven hour tour. Manny tells us once we arrive at Volcano, his cab is considered a commercial vehicle and there will be an additional $30.00 to $35.00 fee. We are not clear how to interpret this, but Manny indicates this will be a charge additional to the $45.00 per hour quoted to us. August 12,1998, 10:50 a.m. We contact Paradise Taxi for a taxi ride from the Keahole International Airport to the Kona Country Club in Keauhou, Kona. Our driver's name is Karl. We travel on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kuakini Highway, Kam III Road, and Alii Drive to Kona Country Club. This is the most direct route to our destination. The fare is $35.75, which is the cab meter charge. Wood 6a Taic 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency August 14,1998 Page #7 While driving, we ask about the availability of tours. Karl tells us this is possible, but it would have to be arranged through his company office. The fare would be based on whatever the meter rate is with the possibility of a 10% to 20% discount. For a group of four or less, it will be much more financially feasible to go on a tour bus. If the group is approximately six to seven people, it might be more cost effective to hire a taxi for such a service. CURRENT ACTIVITY Allowing you time to receive and review this report, we will contact you to discuss our continued investigation. Submitted by, WOOD & TAIT, INC. ai Vice President SJT:pc cc: Dominic Yagong Wood h' Taic ~4-•~+~-~- 03 CCI 8-80184E County of Hawaii Mass Transportation Agency • ~ 1 •1 PARADISE TAXI P,O. Box 2224 ~ ~ 4 ~I Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 ~ ~ , ~ i 5 329-1234.326-1234 Please sk tor,/ 325-0213 (FAX) - y 'P.0. + ° ~ 2, AnelN96750 MARINA TAXI YYY Enterprises, Inc. M Sight Seeing & Tours , Rikuo Takizawa SERVING Radio Dispatched Tel: B ~ _ e ~ - KONA ~ ^ ^ ~ ^ ~ (808) 895-1325 Cellular Ly L (808) 325-1828 Fax ~ci$, klL~.~ Please Ask For____ RO. Box 3357 ~ E31~.~, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii ~~L~ FRED CLARAVALL Post Office Box 4720 96745 U.S.A. ~~v, ~i~°ci~i~ Ou+rter/Oper¢tor Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745-4720 _ _ 1 ~~"mac^.~F'~f OFFICE (808)326-5466 CELL: (808) 936-9436 LAURA' TAXI SPECIALIZING IN ISLAND TOURS! Dale 7.7.1 .~~~LLr~ Amount7,~. z~,__ OUR MAUKA TAXI . ``323-9000 -HOTEL :'AIRPORT • TOURS woos oBrtr~e ;.~1~/~' ' r>s„ P.0. Bar 2302 • KpWloekoa. Ham 96750 ~:-1 ob's L ~ ~ fl X I Taxi 3~ 9- 6' 3 ~ 959-4800 ~ ~ Hotel & o Taxi Receipt / . q~ ~ ea Airport Pickups - ~ •7 Date Area Servicing: From TO • HILO ,t • PUNA ~ f~IT10Ullt •VOLCANO • HAMAKUA 1 For Reservations 963-5470 P.O. Box 4411 Hilo, HI 96720 ~e • ~.0. ~oz 2224 $ ~allua-bona. ~lamaii 96745 p0 .;,.~,.a. (808)329-9234oDupalch ,O (808)334-1234 Office 1` (808) 326-9747 `fax CAL M MARINA TAXI Sight Seeing & Tours { Radio Dispatched G ~ SERVING /e~ ~n ~S KONA 29.2481 f-r q~ ~ Plea e Ask or FRED CLARAVALL Post Office Box 4720 Oumcr/Opcr~(or ICailu ~-Kmu~. 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