Hawaii's Superferry Resuming Service

AP via SFGate ^ | 9/13/7 | JAYMES SONG, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

Honolulu (AP) -- The Hawaii Superferry, halted nearly a month because of protests and legal challenges over its potential environmental impact, will resume service between Oahu and Kauai this month with heightened security, Gov. Linda Lingle said.

Lingle, a supporter of the Superferry, said Wednesday that the vessel will resume service Sept. 26 on a temporary daytime schedule, arriving at Kauai's Nawiliwili Harbor at 11 a.m., eight hours ahead of its usual stop. The daytime hours are being used to better ensure public safety, but it may inconvenience cruise ships.

The harbor will be heavily secured by Kauai County police and state officers, while the Coast Guard will escort the luxurious, 350-foot catamaran.

The governor said the plan also calls for "swift and sure prosecution of anyone who violates the law," whether its federal or local.

"It's not our desire to arrest anyone. ... But it is Superferry's legal right to use Nawiliwili Harbor," she said. . . .

[SmithL]

Follow-up to Surfers Stop Superferry in Hawaii

[Izzy Dunne]

But if the ferry wasn't there, all those people would be driving their CARS from one island to another.

How environmentally friendly is THAT?

[Robe]

Huh.. Not to be snippy but ..
How do you drive a car from one island to another??????

(8^)

[Tallguy]

I don’t get it. What kinds of adverse environmental impact are the protestors talking about? Is it the ferry itself or the car traffic that they object to?

[Redcloak]

Lots and lots of floaties.

[Fry_Daddy]

Just exactly what sort of service does a super fairy provide?

[Redcloak]

Is it the ferry itself or the car traffic that they object to?

I was there about a year ago. There were signs littering the island protesting the ferry. The big issue was the added cars. They get cruise ships into Nawiliwili all the time. The merchants who cater to visitors want the ferry because it will mean more business. Also, those who travel to Oahu would rather take the ferry than mess around with flying into Honolulu and renting a car. The other side worries about added smog and traffic. They get bent out of shape about it taking 30 minutes to get from Lihue to Kapaa during rush hour. I'm from Los Angeles. We laugh ourselves silly at what they call traffic.

[Redcloak]

Just exactly what sort of service does a super fairy provide?

Thuper thervice!

[LoneStarGI]

I just love how the ‘protesters’ try to spin their reasons for objection of the ferry. They say it will harm sea life and introduce invasive new species. Umm..how? The ferry never leaves Hawaiian waters, it can’t pick up new species. If that was a real argument, then you should be attacking the cruise ships and not the ferry. Next, how does the ferry harm sea life, the thing is powered by water jets, not propellers, and has a ‘soft’ (rubber-covered) bottom hull. Again, if this was valid, you should attack the cruise ships. The ferry is far more ‘eco-friendly’ than flying dozens of planes back and forth each day.

This comes down to one thing...they just don’t want more cars on ‘their’ island.

[PAR35]

How do you drive a car from one island to another?

You've never seen those pictures of Cubans taking their cars or trucks from Cuba to Key West?

[OB1kNOb]

Someone ask for Superfairy service?

[fish hawk]

Don’t know about Kauai but here on Maui they are protesting for traffic reasons.

[Izzy Dunne]

How do you drive a car from one island to another??????

With a whole lot of pollution, of course.

That's the point.

;->

[Tallguy]

Thanks for the explanation. It makes sense (in an Enviro sort of way).