Superferry protesters shift focus

The Maui News
Sunday, December 16, 2007
By CHRIS HAMILTON, Staff Writer

KAHULUI - Protesters of the Hawaii Superferry made their largest showing yet Saturday morning and likely their last for the foreseeable future, organizers said.

Irene Bowie, executive director of Maui Tomorrow, announced that they instead intend to contest the high-speed ferry's operations with an appeal to the Hawaii Supreme Court - which previously ruled that an environmental assessment should be completed on the ferry operation using state harbors.

Maui Tomorrow and two other Maui groups had challenged state plans to allow the ferry without an environmental assessment, winning the Supreme Court decision in August that effectively blocked the high-speed ferry service.

Called into special session by Gov. Linda Lingle, state legislators enacted a law to allow the ferry to run while an environmental impact statement is prepared.

The new law, upheld by 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza in a decision issued Nov. 14, drew the virulent ire of ferry opponents who focused on Lingle and the Legislature for their actions.

"I'm hoping that people will see the futility of the government changing the law for one specific business," said protester Mike Moran.

Bowie said that sometime in the coming weeks, Maui Tomorrow, Sierra Club and Kahului Harbor Coalition will appeal Cardoza's ruling that lifted an injunction on ferry operations. In the meantime, Maui Tomorrow is asking for donations to cover the legal bills.

"It's not surprising," Hawaii Superferry CEO John Garibaldi said Saturday of the planned appeal. "They always look to settle things in court instead of coming to a solution that fulfills the dreams of a lot of people in Hawaii to provide an alternative form of transportation."

Between 300 and 400 demonstrators appeared at the corner of Kaahumanu and Puunene avenues and on the shoreline at Hoaloha Park before the Alakai arrived around 10:20 a.m.

There was a significant police presence at the demonstration and a half-dozen U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Land and Natural Resources boats enforcing the Coast Guard's temporary security zone, which encompasses nearly all of Kahului Harbor.

There was more of a security presence than in the past. Officers also strictly enforced the distances at which protesters could hold their signs.

Maui County spokeswoman Mahina Martin said there were no arrests.

But U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Chief Petty Officer Chad Saylor said two surfers illegally entered the security zone before they were ordered back. The surfers complied. The men also allegedly cut a floating demarcation line about two hundred yards out from the beach.

The surfers were not taken into custody, but the DLNR identified the men and have opened an investigation, Saylor said. Despite the incident, Saylor said that authorities were very pleased with how the morning went.

Garibaldi rode the 350-foot Alakai to Kahului and back to Honolulu on Saturday. He said the trip to Maui ran into swells up to 12 feet high. The return trip was much smoother, Garibaldi said by cell phone aboard the Alakai.

The ferry brought in 250 passengers from Honolulu on Saturday, with about 75 cars and trucks, many of which appeared to be filled with household items. About a dozen motorcyclists also rode into Maui.

The demonstrators were vocal but peaceful.

Many brought their young children, some of whom obliviously frolicked in the water as their parents glared at the ferry. As they had during another anti-Superferry rally Thursday, some of the demonstrators shouted to the passengers, "go home."

A few of the bikers debarking responded with smiles and shaka hand gestures.

With more of them, the protesters were louder on Saturday than on the ferry's first day of service Thursday. One man brought an air horn and a number of cars along Kaahumanu honked in support of the rally.

Most ferry passengers in their cars appeared to ignore the protesters, although some apparently mocked the demonstrators by honking their own horns. Some video taped the action. One passenger covered his head with his hood and flipped off the crowd.

The vessel carries as many as 866 people and 262 compact cars. Garibaldi said that the return trip to Oahu had 130 people and about 35 vehicles.

He said that the numbers will only continue to grow as people see that the Superferry is providing consistent service.

Mike Neagle of Pukalani, a walk-on passenger aboard the ferry, said he thought he'd ride the ferry before forming an opinion.

"I'm not crazy about the way it went down, but I believe the need is there," he said.

Neagle said he wished the fate of the ferry would have been put to a public vote, where he believes the ferry would have won.

A University of Hawaii at Manoa student from Iao Valley, who gave only a first name of Ashley, said if protesters paid her bills to move her truck and college gear back to Maui, she would be standing right there with them. She said it will cost $120 for her, another person and her truck to go from Oahu to Maui.

A protester told her, "Young Brothers, sistah."

Superferry opponents have been calling for a boycott of the ferry, but there is substantial support for the interisland service on Oahu, while opposition is being voiced primarily on the Neighbor Islands.

In Saturday's crowds, there was a diverse range of opinions among the ferry opponents.

Kaipo Namahoe of Haiku wore a traditional lei and kihei as he protested along Kaahumanu with some Maui Community College friends. He said he feared that more people and cars from Oahu would come here and bring with them illegal drugs. They'd also take up what few camping spots are available and further damage the natural environment, Namahoe said.

Darren Gibo is a bottom-fisherman from Kahului. He said he supported the ferry until the Coast Guard decided to close the harbor for three hours a day while the ferry was approaching or in Kahului Harbor.

Gibo held an anti-Lingle sign with ti leaves attached to it, which he said are meant to scare away evil spirits. Since bottom-fishing is done at night and the harbor will be closed off in the morning, it could leave the trailer boaters stranded outside the harbor's safety, Gibo said.

Coast Guard officials have said that they will review the temporary security zone in the coming days and weeks and may revise the area affected.

Iokepa Naeole is an environmental educator, surfer and paddler who was upset by the closed harbor as well as the potential for more invasive species to arrive on Maui.

Scott Wenham of Kihei brought a sense of theater to the rally as he donned his snorkel gear, flippers, mask and all. He was concerned about the Alakai's ability to cruise at 35 knots or more.

"I'm here for whale safety," Wenham said. "At this point, I would at least like to see them commit to installing some fish-finding equipment that can detect a whale ahead of time so one doesn't get hit."

Among the protesters Saturday, there was at least one Superferry supporter, Phil Feliciano of Kula.

Feliciano held a sign saying, "No pilikia. Welcome." .

Feliciano said passengers on the ferry are family, friends and neighbors of Maui residents.

"I feel embarrassed for our island that we are welcoming this way," he said.