http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Mar/02/bz/bz02a.html(Dont let the "Norway part" fool you, it is owned by a group in Malaysia!)
Congressional legislation pushed by Hawai'i's delegation to boost the cruise industry in the state effectively gives Norwegian Cruise Line a monopoly in the interisland market, according to a report released by the U.S. General Accounting Office yesterday. The GAO report also cites analysts' concerns that Norwegian may not be successful with its U.S. flag operations in Hawai'i and that the company could switch back to lower-cost foreign flag ships to remain competitive. Such a move could result in the loss of both tax revenue and U.S. jobs, including those held by Hawai'i residents.
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Federal law requires non-U.S. ships to make a foreign stop when cruising among U.S. ports, preventing most cruise lines from basing cruise ships in Hawai'i. But under the legislation, Norwegian was exempted from the requirement and permitted to sail three foreign-built ships flying U.S. flags.
In its report, the GAO — the research arm of Congress — said the exemption "effectively gives NCL a monopoly on interisland Hawaiian cruises — providing consumers with itineraries that were previously unavailable."