Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday that she will open dialogue with the community on Kaua‘i at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the return of the Superferry. The meeting will be at the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e and is
Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday that she will open dialogue with the community on Kaua‘i at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss the return of the Superferry. The meeting will be at the War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e and is open to the public.
The governor and state, federal and county officials will first discuss the steps being taken by law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce a temporary security zone established by the U.S. Coast Guard to allow the Superferry to safely enter and depart the harbor, while providing a safe place for protesters to demonstrate.
They will also outline the state and federal penalties for violating the temporary security zone or obstructing the operations of law enforcement officials.
The public will then have the opportunity to ask questions about the security enforcement measures.
The next day state Judge Randal Valenciano will hear arguments at a hearing scheduled to begin Friday in a Kaua‘i courtroom on whether Hawaii Superferry should be allowed to operate during an environmental assessment.
The 5th Circuit Court judge will hear the state Department of Transportation and Superferry’s motions to dismiss the case plus a motion to exclude evidence that attorneys representing 1,000 Friends of Kaua‘i filed.
The response to these motions will define a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the 350-foot catamaran from sailing between O‘ahu and Kaua‘i during the state environmental review, attorney Dan Hempey said yesterday.
A similar hearing is now under way in Maui.
Hempey — representing 1,000 Friends, a local environmental group — said he asked for a continuance last week, which was granted, to improve logistics for the case.
Lingle last week said the Superferry will resume Kaua‘i service Sept. 26 on a temporary day-time schedule under heightened security.
The luxury passenger-car ferry dubbed the “Alakai” voluntarily suspended operations after protesters prevented the vessel from docking Aug. 27 in Nawiliwili Harbor.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
