Mayor Tavares addresses Superferry expansion

Mayor Charmaine Tavares responds to the announcement made by the Hawaii Superferry to add a second daily trip to Kahului Harbor

January 4, 2008

“I am very disappointed that Hawaii Superferry has made this decision without consulting county officials and members of our community. Since the Superferry’s first arrival less than a month ago it continues to be a contentious matter for many in our community. Just weeks ago I received a commitment from Mr. Garibaldi that the company would extend its efforts to work with us, but their announcement comes as a surprise.

We have no information suggesting that there has been compliance with Judge August’s ruling, issued 2 months ago, that requires the State Department of Transportation to complete a study of traffic impacts and how to mitigate such impacts. Next month, on February 25, the county will be back in court with Judge August for a previously scheduled court date to review DOT’s compliance with the judge’s previous orders. The traffic study was deemed necessary for the one daily trip by the Superferry to Kahului Harbor and now there will be two daily trips - and still no traffic study to comply with Judge August’s ruling.”