Hawaii Superferry suspended service through Friday, pending assurance from the U.S. Coast Guard for safe passage into Nawiliwili Harbor, the company’s Web site states. There is no inter-island ferry service from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i on Saturdays. Meanwhile, Hui-R, a coalition
Hawaii Superferry suspended service through Friday, pending assurance from the U.S. Coast Guard for safe passage into Nawiliwili Harbor, the company’s Web site states.
There is no inter-island ferry service from O‘ahu to Kaua‘i on Saturdays.
Meanwhile, Hui-R, a coalition of Kaua‘i community members, plans to rally at 3 p.m. today at the Historic County Building on Rice Street in Lihu‘e.
The group invites community members on a walk to stop first to thank supportive councilmembers, then proceed to the Mayor’s Office to renew the call for Mayor Bryan Baptiste to exercise his leadership position and take a stand against the 836-passenger, 282-car “Alakai” catamaran operating without a state environmental review.
Hui-R members orchestrated a call-in project to the Mayor’s Office yesterday to further voice their opinion that the Hawai‘i Transportation Department needs to complete an environmental assessment of $40 million in state-funded harbor improvements prior to the Superferry resuming voyages to the Garden Isle.
County spokeswoman Mary Daubert confirmed that the office received five calls urging the mayor to support an environmental impact statement.
Also yesterday, a Big Island attorney filed an emergency petition to repeal a new U.S. Coast Guard rule that restricts access in Nawiliwili Harbor an hour before the Alakai arrives until 10 minutes after its departure.
“The public interest, public welfare and the law require the rule to be repealed,” environmental lawyer Lanny Sinkin said in an e-mail.
For more information on the filling, visit dms.dot.gov and search for docket 29153.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s statement on situation
The state has told us that an Environmental Assessment will be done for all harbors in which the Hawaii Superferry plans to provide service including Nawiliwili. A question remains as to whether the Hawaii Superferry should be allowed to operate before the environmental review is completed. I believe we need to allow the courts to respond to that question and make a determination.
I have been asked by many people to take a side on this issue. No matter how I personally feel about this complex situation, it’s important for me as Mayor of Kaua‘i to remain impartial. This allows for a greater opportunity to ensure public safety, regardless of which side of the issue people may stand. What I believe is needed is leadership that can talk to all parties without prejudice.
While public safety is paramount, it’s also important to recognize and protect the rights of our people to express their opinions lawfully. I continue to ask for restraint by all parties as we move toward a resolution of these difficult issues.
