When outrigger canoe club paddler Leigh Drachman entered the water Monday, she never expected an evening practice would turn into a “wonderful opportunity” to join hundreds of Kaua‘i residents protesting the Hawaii Superferry at Nawiliwili Harbor. The 34-year-old Kapa‘a local
When outrigger canoe club paddler Leigh Drachman entered the water Monday, she never expected an evening practice would turn into a “wonderful opportunity” to join hundreds of Kaua‘i residents protesting the Hawaii Superferry at Nawiliwili Harbor.
The 34-year-old Kapa‘a local joined a diverse group united under a common cause — preventing the new inter-island “Alakai” from operating until the state conducts an environmental assessment.
But not all Kaua‘i residents there supported the protests Sunday and Monday evenings. Some were simply curious bystanders and others were there to greet family members arriving from O‘ahu.
As Kapa‘a resident Sharon Verity waited in a line of cars stuck on the narrow jetty road Sunday, she said some of the protesters treated her and her family rudely and hopes for more respectful demonstrations in the future.
Jimmy Trujillo, the spokesman for Hui-R, a coalition of community members united against the Alakai, said he hopes to work with Superferry officials to devise a plan to return to Kaua‘i to pick up stranded O‘ahu residents.
“We’re all living on this island together and we know there’s people on that boat that have friends and relatives here,” he said. “We don’t want to make enemies, we just want to make it right. I would be a fan of the ferry if I knew it was safe, affordable, efficient and if we all had a say. People do want an alternative to air flights for inter-island travel.”
Fourteen women and a coach in three canoes paddled out in unison with a men’s team to reinforce more than 40 surfers, swimmers and boogie boarders who had formed a human blockade to stave off the 350-foot catamaran.
“It was so wonderful when we saw the canoes — so reassuring,” said 31-year-old Kaua‘i surfer Mehana Vaughan. “To see them there in a traditional Hawaiian vessel, making turns in front of the ferry … it was moving.”
“When we saw the people on canoes do what they do every afternoon, I was moved to tears,” Trujillo said. “It was a powerful statement … growing the resistance using peaceful, non-violent tactics.”
Vaughan said she felt inspired to support the Superferry protesters after witnessing their efforts Sunday evening when the Alakai made its maiden voyage to Kaua‘i.
“I’ve been sick about the Superferry all summer … it just didn’t feel like Kaua‘i had been listened to,” Vaughan said. “The culture of Kaua‘i is you take care before taking. It’s about living within our limits as an island … and taking care of our impacts.”
Backed by more than 400 sign-waving, drum-beating, chant-singing protesters on the jetty road, the flotilla in the water ranged from a 12-year-old student to a 55-year-old businessman and included organic farmers and fishermen.
“It was so exciting to see the spirit of Kaua‘i,” surfer Andrea Noelani Brower said. “The experience of being in the water was very powerful with the moon rising and the canoes and the surfers and the protesters silhouetted against the background.”
The protesters were mixed ethnicities, political backgrounds and economic levels, new residents and locals who have lived on Kaua‘i for generations, the 22-year-old lifelong Kaua‘i resident said.
“The community has been so lacking in our ability to communicate what we’re frustrated with. The Superferry may be the symbol of larger issues,” Brower said. “I really hope that Kaua‘i uses this energy to talk about what we want to see happen with affordable housing, development, too much tourism and other alternative visions.”
The surfers suffered thirst and hunger as they battled the cold after the sun set, but some residents swam out bottled water to help, Vaughan said.
“We were singing, laughing, looking out for one another and feeling supported by the island,” she said. “There was a growing camaraderie.”
This spirit developed as multiple local, state and federal law enforcement vessels tried to deter the protesters. The U.S. Coast Guard reportedly arrested some, but was ultimately unable to break up the group.
The Alakai abandoned its effort to dock after protesters stalled it for around three hours. The ferry was scheduled to arrive at 6 p.m. with passengers from O‘ahu, and then depart for Honolulu at 7 p.m.
“We knew the Superferry’s strategy was to wait us out,” Vaughan said. “We were determined to finish together and decided when it turned to leave to wait and watch it till the lights were gone … then stay 10 minutes after and go in together.”
Many swimmers and surfers were greeted on shore by Kaua‘i Police Department officers and masked SWAT team members.
“I didn’t realize how scary that point was building to be,” Vaughan said.
“The cops were lined up to arrest anyone that was wet,” Brower said.
KPD arrests 11
Kaua‘i Police Department Lt. Dan Miyamoto said police arrested seven adults and four juveniles on misdemeanor charges Monday evening during the second day of protests against the Hawaii Superferry at Nawiliwili Harbor.
The adults arrested were: Mathew Hamm, 25, obstructing and disorderly conduct; Gilbert Nieto, 49, obstructing and disorderly conduct; Alan Zebe, 36, obstructing and disorderly conduct; Kana Kirkpatrick, 22, obstructing, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass second degree; Shane Valiere, 21, obstructing, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass first degree; Steven Valiere, 55, obstructing; and Robert Pa, 46, disorderly conduct.
A local businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he suffered from a pepper spray attack Sunday evening by a Kaua‘i Police Department officer, but the department could not confirm the incident.
“It was excruciating pain and I couldn’t see for an hour — very scary,” he said.
Unconfirmed reports claim officers maced protestors attempting to deflate a tire on a vehicle and causing other damage.
These 11 arrests are in addition to three Kaua‘i residents who were arrested during the protest Sunday evening.
“These are not terrorists. These are our dads, brothers and sisters demonstrating their rights to free speech and to assemble,” Trujillo said. “This should not be impeded by corporate interests … especially at the expense of public safety and public interest.”
Several protesters wished to extend their aloha to the U.S. Coast Guard and Kaua‘i Police Department for doing their jobs well and keeping the demonstration as safe as possible.
“There were a lot of angry police officers making snide remarks and being tough with women, but also a lot of very respectful police officers who I don’t think wanted to be there,” Brower said.
Miyamoto said all have posted bail, but could not provide more specific details.
People for the Preservation of Kaua‘i spokesman Rich Hoeppner said he helped bail the protesters out until 2 a.m.
He added that the environmental group plans to dedicate its efforts now to legal action to stop the Superferry with a permanent injunction until the environmental review is completed.
Environmentalists are concerned the Alakai will endanger marine life, create traffic jams, spread invasive species and negatively impact the community.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
