Posted on 11/14/2007 8:18:24 PM PST by SmithL
Wailuku, Hawaii (AP) -- A state judge cleared the way Wednesday for Hawaii's new inter-island ferry to operate before an environmental assessment is complete, disappointing critics who had argued the giant vessel could harm whales and damage the area's fragile ecology.
Judge Joseph Cardoza cited a new state law passed in an emergency legislative session in his decision to reverse his injunction against operation of the Hawaii Superferry, a car and passenger service that would link Oahu, Maui, Kauai and eventually the Big Island as the first alternative to air travel.
The first 350-foot catamaran has been sitting idle in Honolulu Harbor for weeks while Superferry lawyers, the Legislature and Gov. Linda Lingle struggled with environmental objections.
State Attorney General Mark Bennett told the judge he was bound by the new law signed by Lingle this month allowing the ferry to run while an environmental study is being completed.
Cardoza agreed, ordering immediate dismissal of a case, but added: "Whether that represents good or bad legislative policy is not for this court to determine."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"Whether that represents good or bad legislative policy is not for this court to determine."
WOW!
I believe other big ships including tankers are allowed to go through similar routes without any problem. Many local Hawaiians like the superferry because it allows them to go interislands faster. Like usual, the anti-development environmentalists who object to the superferry.
Anti-development environmentalists and the “I-got-miners”.
This strikes me as the phoniest "environmental" issue of all time. Currently, Hawaiians travel between the islands BY PLANE. You would think that environmentalists, of all people, would be the ones to welcome replacing fuel-intensive air travel with boat trips.
I remember the cost of flights between islands added up in a hurry with several folks traveling. This should be a lot cheaper for a carload of folks once the ferry gets going.
“Phoniest enviormental issue” is right. The real enviormental issue on the outer islands is too many self righteous Californian transplants who have over run small quaint beachside communities, all the while complaining about the “extremely fragile enviorment”, as they say whatever they can to make tourists feel unwelcome. These are the very jerks who blocked the Ferry to begin with.
They’ve truly destroyed the spirit of Aloha, here on Kauai. They should all move back to California.
You might blame this single issue on transplants but the Aloha spirit has been in decline for some time. We could start with the sovereignty movement.
“I remember the cost of flights between islands added up in a hurry with several folks traveling. This should be a lot cheaper for a carload of folks once the ferry gets going.”
I’m not so sure it’s less expensive. I priced it for a family of four, first class (+$80, $20 each), and a car and it’s about $380 each way. That’s $760 round trip and that’s way over the cost to fly. I think the big savings comes from not having to rent a car but I don’t think that does it either. It also takes longer. That said I can’t wait to go.
“You might blame this single issue on transplants but the Aloha spirit has been in decline for some time.”
Think METH....
Ok...
Who gets to pay back the investors for the money lost while this envirolib circle jerk was going on?
Why does every place have a fragile ecology? Aren't there any robust ecologies?
If I ever make it back to Hawaii...
I’m gonna’ ride that thing just to p-ss off the hippy-enviro-wingnuts.
I bet if you look deep enough the money trail for the protester leads to Young Bros.
One Way Vehicle Rates To/From Honolulu
0 - 2,500 lbs. $132 to $156
2,501 - 4,000 lbs. $156 to $184
4,001 - 6,500 lbs. $219 to $253
Yahh, but leave it to the democratic utopias like Hawaii or Seattle were a couple environmental wackos can shut down major projects for years.
This ferry has been sitting in a harbor for months because a couple of people on surfboards blocked its route and the pandering dems wouldn’t allow the cops to do their job by throwing those jackoffs in jail where they belong.
“Maui Tomorrow Attorney Isaac Hall attacked Bennett and Gov. Linda Lingle’s administration in court. Hall threatened that the “environmentalists” against the Hawaii Superferry will not have any other way to stop the vessel if Cardoza rules against them but to “jump in the water” in violation of the U.S. Coast Guard’s safety zone. “
Man I hope they do , and I also hope some folks go out in Kahalui Harbor the night before and chum the water real good. There’s some awesome ‘big boys’ around there....
but dont you have to pay for each passenger too?
amen, you know, I have a feeling that the same thing is going to happen to the big-island.........if the ferry ever gets there
BogeyGolfer listed some prices in post #8. If it’s $20/person each way, that’s a pretty good deal, especially if you can take a ferry between each of the major islands. If a car is needed, wait until you get to your destination, since that adds so much extra.
Competition is good, this is simply allowing competiton in the transportation industry in Hawaii - better service and lower costs are the likely outcome.
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