Superferry opponents cite environmental concerns

Hawaii Superferry a threat to whales, court witness says

Monday, September 10, 2007
HONOLULU Advertiser Staff

WAILUKU, Maui — Marine biologist Hannah Bernard was the sole witness to testify today in the first day of a Maui Circuit Court hearing to decide whether the Hawaii Superferry can operate while the state conducts an environmental assessment of ferry-related projects at four state harbors.

Bernard said the Superferry's 350-foot catamaran and other large, fast-moving vessels are a particular threat to humpback whales and other species.

She is one of approximately 30 people on a list of potential witnesses in the hearing on a motion for a permanent injunction filed by Maui Tomorrow, the Sierra Club and the Kahului Harbor Coalition.

The hearing will resume at 10 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Joseph Cardoza. In the meantime, a temporary restraining order remains in place preventing the interisland ferry from using Kahului Harbor.

Several activists from Kaua'i held a news conference this morning outside the state Capitol to explain their concerns about the Hawaii Superferry. Some asked Gov. Linda Lingle to tell Superferry to suspend ferry service until the state completes an environmental assessment ordered by the state Supreme Court. Others warned about the ferry's potential impact on Kaua'i's culture and its fish and wildlife.

"The Superferry will bring hundreds of people and we are not ready to accept all of them," said Kalehua Ham Young, a kupuna and cultural practitioner.

Environmentalists lost in Kaua'i court on Friday when a judge denied their request for a temporary restraining order to keep the ferry from Nawiliwili Harbor. A hearing on an injunction against the Superferry is scheduled for Sept. 17.

Mehana Blaich Vaughan, a teacher and student, said the Superferry service is akin to building a highway between the islands.

"People always ask us what makes the Hawaii Superferry different," she said. "To us, it's the first time in Hawaii's history that people and their cars have been able to move together simultaneously."

Kauai Protesters Say They May Block Ferry Again

Group Wants Superferry To Conduct Environmental Survey

September 10, 2007
www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14086916/detail.html
 
HONOLULU -- Some of the protestors who stopped the Hawaii Superferry at Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai on Monday went to Oahu to explain why they did it and why they may do it again.

The leader of one group said he sent a message to Superferry officials, warning them the last confrontation will "look like a picnic" if the ferry tries to go to Kauai without an environmental assessment. The first protest was a showdown that lasted for hours. As the Superferry tried to dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, protestors in canoes, on surfboards and body boards dodged the Coast Guard.

Authorities arrested several people, but the protest stopped the Superferry.

The Kauai residents who oppose the Superferry on Monday gathered at the state Capitol.

"The Superferry makes it possible for all kinds of cars, buses, coolers straight from the ferry to the aina," Kalehua Ham Young said.

The protesters said they felt it was necessary to resort to civil disobedience and block the harbor.

"Well, we had tried a number of ways previously quote, unquote the legal way, and that was all turned aside turned a deaf ear to us. So what was there left to do? To bring this to a head to bring it to the attention of general public," Dennis Chun said.

The protesters said that until there is an environmental impact statement, they will do it again.

"There is no reason to not have an (environmental impact statement). It's state law, and it should be done before they begin operations," People for Protection of Kauai leader Rich Hoeppner said.

A number of protesters said they would accept the Superferry if it gets the EIS. Superferry officials were in court on Maui. They were not available for comment.