A new Kaua‘i environmental group plans to prep residents for the emerging Hawai‘i Superferry this weekend at two Eastside events. Hui-R, a coalition of community members united against the inter-island vessel, plans to educate the public and then determine a
A new Kaua‘i environmental group plans to prep residents for the emerging Hawai‘i Superferry this weekend at two Eastside events.
Hui-R, a coalition of community members united against the inter-island vessel, plans to educate the public and then determine a course of action — likely including civil disobedience during a public preview of the 350-foot Alakai catamaran Sunday morning at Nawiliwili Harbor.
“We are serving notice to our state government and Hawai‘i Superferry Inc. that due to a whole raft of social, cultural and environmental impacts being unaddressed, we have no confidence in this ferry operation, we are opposed to it, and we plan to stop it,” the group says on its Web site.
Hui-R formed when members from several environmental organizations — including Sierra Club, 1,000 Friends of Kaua‘i, Surfrider Foundation and People for the Preservation of Kaua‘i — learned of its potentially damaging effects, Hui-R spokesman Jimmy Trujillo said. “We’re trying to build solidarity and have an open forum for folks to form affinity groups within those present.”
On Friday, Hui-R will host a presentation by Dr. Lee Tepley at 7 p.m. at Small Town Coffee, 4-1495 Kuhio Highway, Kapa‘a.
The Big Island physicist and underwater photographer said he created two DVDs that answer questions on the Superferry’s expected negative impact to marine mammals, particularly humpback whales.
His discussion will reveal “some of the political foolishness” surrounding the company and potential dangers the speedy vessel may bring, according to Hui-R.
On Saturday, Hui-R will host a discussion “on the truth of the real impacts from Hawai‘i Superferry” from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, 4191 Hardy St., Lihu‘e.
Panelists include Tepley; Dayne Aipoalani, Ali‘i Nui, The Polynesian Kingdom of Atooi; Rich Hoeppner, People for the Preservation of Kaua‘i; Gordon LaBedz, Surfrider Foundation; and Juan Wilson, IslandBreath.org.
Wilson said he plans to focus on military ties to the Superferry.
The Hanapepe resident alleges that because the military has access to the Superferry in times of disaster, it should therefore be offsetting its cost to the public.
“Hawai‘i Superferry is not being forthright,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a viable business. They wouldn’t have done it without so many financial guarantees.”
Wilson argued that the three-hour one-way trip is unaffordable. For a family of four traveling mid-week with a vehicle, a roundtrip voyage from Kauai to O‘ahu costs about $622.
Superferry service from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i and Maui starts Aug. 28. The Alakai can ferry 282 sub-compact cars and 866 passengers. Reservations are underway.
Kaua‘i legislators, county officials and residents have called for an environmental impact statement — a study the state Department of Transportation waived for Hawai‘i Superferry.
Tepley pointed to other parts of the world offering similar ferry services such as Tahiti, Japan and the Canary Islands. Evidence there underscores the high risk of sharp pontoons on a fast-moving inter-island vessel, he said.
Tepley noted that his presentation will answer questions such as why cruise ships and small boats pose significantly less threat to marine mammals — a popular defense retort by Hawai‘i Superferry officials, he said.
“Citizens of Kaua‘i and other Neighbor Islands were never asked if we wanted a ‘super’ ferry; rather, it is being imposed on us by outside interests,” Hui-R says on its Web site. “We spoke loud and clear on many occasions to request more information, but no information has been forthcoming to address our questions.”
Immediately following Saturday’s discussion, Hui-R will hold a public meeting to determine a course of action.
“We need to target the O‘ahu consumer that’s primarily using it,” Trujillo said. “Maybe when the disembarking occurs, we’ll have a blockade in the spirit of getting the message out. We know everyone is not going to be willing to paddle their surfboards out to harass the Coast Guard or harbor pilot. Some people may just want to write letters to the editor.”
According to members, Hui-R is an attempt to organize in the traditional Hawaiian way, with a hui, to avoid the pitfalls of hierarchical organizations and instead make decisions based on group consensus.
For more information, visit the group’s Web site at http://hui-r.info.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
