Cruise Junkie
Oceana
The Ocean Conservancy
  
Issues
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Cruise ships in increasing numbers – and also the proposed SuperFerry – are coming to Hawaii. Maui Tomorrow has decided to look into what impact these vessels will have on our environment and our vision of Maui in the future...
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MAYOR'S CRUISE SHIP TASK FORCE
The great increase in the number of cruise ships visiting Maui between the mid-nineties when the first cruise ship arrived in Lahaina Harbor to 2003 when over 230,000 cruise visitors arrived on Maui prompted Mayor Alan Arakawa to appoint a Task Force of community members to assess the impacts and benefits of cruise ships on the island Maui.
Senate move could hurt plans for Superferry
The state Senate Ways and Means Committee has blockaded a plan to provide $40 million in state harbor improvements, raising questions about support for the Hawaii Superferry. Sen. Shan Tsutsui (D, Wailuku-Kahului), committee vice chairman, said the $40 million has been deleted. "I doubt that it'll pass this year," he said.
Lehman joins Superferry project
Hawaii Superferry has appointed John F. Lehman, the former Secretary of the Navy and member of the 9/11 Commission, as a board member. Lehman's private equity firm J.F. Lehman & Co. will invest $58 million equity capital in the interisland ferry project. His company invests primarily in marine and aerospace defense projects.
Environmental review for ferry sought in suit
Three Maui organizations sought an injunction Monday to require that the Hawaii Superferry "at least" prepare an environmental assessment before it enters into an operating agreement with the state to use Kahului Harbor. "Before they get the right to use the harbor, an environmental review should be conducted," said attorney Isaac Hall.
Hall said he was representing the Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow and the Kahului Harbor Coalition, which is made up of canoe clubs that use the harbor facilities. The Department of Transportation is expected to enter into an operating agreement with the Superferry on or before April 1, but be exempted from environmental review. Hall noted that although Superferry officials have said they will conduct their own environmental studies before service commences, that won't happen until after the pact has been signed.
"They're doing it exactly backwards," he said. "They're supposed to do an environmental analysis and study prior to entering into an agreement. This is totally the opposite of what's required."
Two recent stories regarding the decision to deny the need for environmental review of the impacts created by the proposed Hawaii Superferry
Maui County Council calls for Superferry EIS
Give Hawaii Superferry environmental scrutiny
No environmental review required for Superferry
Hawai'i Superferry will not have to do an environmental impact statement before it begins interisland operations, dodging a hurdle ferry executives said could have scuttled the project. A Senate committee yesterday killed a bill that would have required the lengthy and expensive environmental review, apparently agreeing with the state Transportation Department, which said an EIS is not required by law.
Businesses step up to protect resources
In a more meaningful version of tossing pennies in a fountain, an unusual coalition of tourists, commercial operators and conservationists is offering dollars to the sea. 13 business owners have voluntarily signed up to join the Maui Reef Fund, a new program that collects donations for marine projects to keep the ocean healthy and educate visitors. The effort was spearheaded by Hannah Bernard and Jen Dadmun of the Hawaii Wildlife Fund after a survey a few years ago found that 80 percent of 500 tourists interviewed on trips to Molokini would contribute $5 to a marine-protection fund so long as the money were not controlled by a government agency.
Officials scrap harbor plan after opposition
State harbor officials have abandoned a proposal to expand a Kahului Harbor pier in an area where canoe clubs practice and hold regattas. The proposed extension of Pier 2 had been criticized and questioned by harbor users. The Harbors Division of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) made the decision after running into waves of opposition by all of the major users of the Kahului facility, from the paddlers of the canoe clubs to the cargo companies and cruise ship operators. |
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Weighing The Cost Of "Progress" – Cruise Ships, The SuperFerry And Kahului Harbor
Major actions have been proposed for Kahului Harbor that, if approved, will have drastic effects not only on life in the surrounding area of downtown Kahului, but also on a wide variety of vital aspects of life throughout the island of Maui, and, in truth, the entire state of Hawaii.
A project that no one needs
For more than a month, the state's proposed plan to expand Pier 2C in Kahului Harbor has generated heated protests by canoe club members who were under the impression that others with a stake at the docks - particularly the cruise ships or the proposed Hawaii Superferry - were behind the plan that would have sent them packing. As it turns out, a longer Pier 2C is the pier that nobody wants. Not only is there no demand, but the extended structure could prove hazardous to vessels moving about the harbor.
Cruise Control?
Protests and meetings call for industry regulation
As the cruise ship business increases in Hawaiian waters, many people are looking at the environmental track record of the industry. Even a casual investigation reveals an alarming picture of a largely unregulated industry with a documented history of opposing and ignoring safety and environmental laws and regulations.
Canoe paddlers resist Kahului Harbor plan
A state plan to add dock space and other shipping facilities within Kahului Harbor has collided head-on with a thriving canoe paddling community and other recreational users of Maui's main port. Foes of the Department of Transportation plan complain it could end up destroying a surf spot, wiping out the harbor beach and severely restricting canoeing in the only protected waters on Maui's north shore. They also argue the plan would lead to industrialization of the Kahului waterfront and an excessive amount of street traffic in an already congested area.
Super Ferry will require upgraded harbors
The state will have to invest in some major harbor improvements to get ready for the Hawaii Super Ferry, and state Transportation Director Rodney Haraga is wondering how much he’ll have to spend. If harbor improvements are underfunded, the Super Ferry company could decide to leave Hawaii for a market with better facilities, he said. On the other hand, what happens if the state pours money into its harbors only to have the ferry close shop after a year or two?
Hawaii Superferry Questionnaire
MEDB is gathering community input on the proposed Hawaii Superferry and would like your input. Use the link above to print their questionnaire and mail it in.
Kahului Harbor and the SuperFerry
Kahului Harbor will be the port for the new super-ferry. The proposal for the re-configuration and reconstruction of the harbor is now under review. You have only a few days to make your comments. Jeffrey Parker offers his comments regarding a likely invasive species threat increase from the planned expansion.
Islands-wide protests of Norwegian Cruise Lines
Moku O Keawe 'Ohana and KAHEA, The Hawaii Environmental Alliance strongly urges everyone to join in Islands-wide protests of Norwegian Cruise Lines, "Pride of Aloha." Peacefully demonstrate at ports on Hawai'i Island, Maui, Kaua'i and O'ahu. Help send the message to NCL that they cannot continue to do business as usual in Hawai'i.
"The cruise ship industry is making a direct assault on our culture, natural resources and our way of life that is going to have a devastating impact that will be felt for years to come."
Case co-sponsors bill for ships’ wastewater
The measure prohibits discharges into U.S. territorial waters.
Maui Land & Pine invests in "Superferry"
Cruise pollution bill stalled
The only measure still alive to regulate discharge from cruise ships, SB 3116 SD2, is pending a hearing in a joint hearing before three house committees. The committees need to hold a hearing and pass the measure before Thursday, March 25th.
Cruise lines agree to report sewage spills
If a cruise ship illegally releases sewage in Hawaii waters, it must report the spill within 10 days, according to a tentative agreement reached between the state and a cruise industry group.A critic complains that the pact is voluntary and has no penalties in case of violations.
Cruise-line sewage bill advances in House
A bill regulating the discharge of pollutants by commercial cruise ships in Hawai'i won approval from three separate House committees yesterday. The proposed program would allow for independent verification of environmental compliance through the Department of Health, which would monitor discharges from cruise ships through registration, information gathering, record-keeping, reporting and inspections. Prohibited would be any discharge of wash-water drainage, oily bilge water, solid waste, hazardous waste and medical waste coming from commercial passenger vessels.
Cruise ship task force announced
Mayor Alan Arakawa has announced the formation of the Mayor's Cruise Ship Task Force. Made up of representatives from public, private, and non-profit sectors of the Maui Community, task force members have been asked by Mayor Arakawa to explore and address the impacts of accelerating cruise ship activity on Maui. "I’ve asked the Task Force to take a comprehensive approach to evaluating the impacts of the industry," Mayor Arakawa said, "and to consider the economic, environmental, socio-cultural, and infrastructural concerns the cruise industry poses for our community."
Environmental law for cruise ships sensible
A legislative proposal for new environmental laws governing cruise ship operations could go a long way toward protecting and enhancing this promising new piece of our visitor industry. The proposal comes from Democratic Rep. Brian Schatz. It would set new regulations governing the discharge of waste from cruise ships and would require automatic monitoring devices on all ships operating in Island waters.
Cruise industry can't be left to regulate itself
The cruise line industry, which is booming in Hawai'i, prefers self-regulation when it comes to environmental and pollution requirements. The problem is that appearances can be - and have been - deceiving.
Crap of luxury
A cruise ship expert warns that Hawai'i's waters need waste-controlling legislation
Cruise Line Pollution Prompts Legislation
Three bills would crack down on ships' discharges within three miles of the coastline
View a Flash presentation showing how one cruise ship re-routed pipelines to dump waste into the open ocean
Cruise ships should be required to apply for SMA permits
An Earthjustice attorney representing Molokai residents opposed to cruise ships disembarking passengers at Kaunakakai Harbor is considering a legal challenge to an opinion by Maui County Corporation Counsel Brian Moto, saying cruise ships should be required to apply for SMA permits from the county because shore visits by passengers involve a higher intensity of land use.
Monterey Harbor Bans Cruise Ship
Monterey has banned a cruise ship from its harbor after the ship's operators admitted dumping bilge water in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, violating an agreement with the city.
Stop sewage dumping at sea
The recent outbreak of coliform bacteria that closed beaches to swimmers from Palm Beach to South Broward has led a Health Department official to speculate that the extensive contamination could have been caused by cruise ships.
KAHEA Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance
Monitoring cruise ship issues that affect the islands.
Mahalo for cruise ship pollution regulation support
A mahalo message and update from Isaac Moriwake, lead attorney for Earthjustice on the cruise ship issue
U.S. keeps wary eye on cruise ships for more pollution
In a campaign to reverse decades-long dirty practices, the Justice Department has prosecuted nine cruise lines in nine years for dumping everything from plastic trash to hazardous waste to oil. It has been a sometimes frustrating battle against secretive dumping, often at night, by foreign-registered ships owned by foreign-registered companies.
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