Controversial Superferry still on track for July ’07 by Ford Gunter – THE GARDEN ISLAND Building a high-speed, interisland ferry service between the most remote island chain in the world is no easy task, as Hawaii Superferry officials have learned.
Controversial Superferry still on track for July ’07
by Ford Gunter – THE GARDEN ISLAND
Building a high-speed, interisland ferry service between the most remote island chain in the world is no easy task, as Hawaii Superferry officials have learned.
Not that they expected it to be easy in the first place.
Ever since the plan was announced, it was dismissed — HSF was going where others had failed — then decried and now, seemingly, bemoaned.
Two weeks after naming Kauaian Terry O’Halloran its new PR chief, the Superferry lost its $20 million in state funding in April, only to have it reinstated in May.
The $235 million project rolls on, set for launch in July 2007, without an Environmental Impact Statement, infuriating various green groups that say the state should require one since the ferry is receiving government funds.
Environmentalists are unsatisfied at best with the Superferry’s WAP, or whale-avoidance plan, and Neighbor Islanders fear that O‘ahu could pawn all of its worst attributes — traffic, drugs, homeless people — off on Kaua‘i, Maui and, later in the year, the Big Island.
Primarily targeted toward interisland travelers who can make the journey with their vehicles, bikes, kayaks and surfboards, as well as small businesses that could move produce and other goods between the islands without paying less-than-container-load shipping costs, the Superferry faces a serious challenge from the airlines, who have had to slash their fares after go! launched service in June.
Whether or not airfares remain low — and the Superferry remains viable — remains to be seen.
