As the Hawaii Superferry cruised into Nawiliwili Harbor around 5:45 p.m. yesterday on its maiden voyage to Kaua‘i, more than a dozen local surfers paddled out to block the 350-foot “Alakai” from reaching port, while 500 protesters backed them up
As the Hawaii Superferry cruised into Nawiliwili Harbor around 5:45 p.m. yesterday on its maiden voyage to Kaua‘i, more than a dozen local surfers paddled out to block the 350-foot “Alakai” from reaching port, while 500 protesters backed them up onshore.
The blue and white four-deck catamaran stopped in a stalemate some 20 yards short of the surfers’ loosely linked human chain.
The hundreds of peaceful protesters lining the sea wall waved “No EIS … No Superferry” signs and chanted “Go back.”
The Superferry bumped up its launch of service date two days and provided drastically discounted $5 one-way fares after the Hawai‘i Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that an environmental review should have been required prior to starting service.
An environmental impact statement is triggered when a project uses public funds, such as the $40 million the state spent to improve harbors for the Superferry, Kaua‘i legislators have said. The study can take months or even years to complete.
When a U.S. Coast Guard boat proved unable to dissuade the surfers, the Alakai put its jets in reverse and exited the harbor around 6 p.m., its scheduled arrival time, prompting smiles and an uproar from the diverse crowd.
“What brought me out today is what always brings me out — protecting the beauty and spirit of the land and water from those that are insensitive to both,” Kaua‘i resident Wendy Raebeck said.
But as the sun set behind an Eastside mountain range, Coast Guard officers cleared the surfers from the water and escorted the $95 million Alakai back into the harbor.
The ship docked around 7:15 p.m. as protesters tightened their barriers of pickups and cars — blocking exits onto the roads leading into Lihu‘e, the island’s commercial hub.
Passengers and vehicles soon started unloading while other drivers waited to board. The Alakai was scheduled to depart for Honolulu at 7 p.m., but missed that departure time by hours.
Kaua‘i resident Rich Hoeppner wondered what Superferry travelers would face if a judge grants the injunction environmental groups plan to file today in Maui Circuit Court.
“How will they get back to O‘ahu?” he said.
Some local residents, possibly mistaken for possible Superferry passengers, said they hope some of the protesters will be “less obtrusive” in the future.
“We were just there to watch what happened and were treated very rudely,” Kapa‘a resident Sharon Verity said as she waited in a line of cars to leave the area.
Abe Rivera, a federal marshal for the Polynesian Kingdom of Atoo‘i, said the Superferry is not in compliance with their laws until it completes an environmental impact statement.
Environmentalists fear the inter-island vessel may kill humpback whales, spread invasive species, further burden local infrastructure and worsen drug and homeless problems.
The Kaua‘i Police Department could not confirm at press time if officers arrested anyone involved with the Superferry protest.
At around 8:30 p.m., several police cruisers and officers were attempting to have protesters unblock an intersection near Nawiliwili Park.
There were unconfirmed reports of arrests and police using Mace on protesters blocking the gate at the opposite end that Matson uses for its shipments.
“People sat down in front of the gate and are not moving for the police,” Hoeppner said, as protesters yelled in the street. “It’s total chaos here.”
The Hawai‘i Superferry carried more than 500 passengers and crew, plus 150 cars, on a successful run yesterday afternoon to Maui. A dozen protesters greeted the run to Maui.
As of press time last night, the Superferry was still unloading and cars were in line to board.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
