A recent Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce survey reveals support for the Superferry among its members. Chamber membership includes 87 percent of small businesses on Kaua‘i. On the issue of the interisland vessel, 79.5 percent of respondents said they support the
A recent Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce survey reveals support for the Superferry among its members.
Chamber membership includes 87 percent of small businesses on Kaua‘i.
On the issue of the interisland vessel, 79.5 percent of respondents said they support the ferry’s decision to operate. Of those who do not support the decision, 78.6 percent said they would change their minds with the filing and approval of an EIS.
Almost 86 percent said the Superferry will help, not hurt, business on Kaua‘i. And nearly 74 percent said they would patronize the vessel when service from Lihu‘e resumes.
In addition to the yes and no responses, participants were able to elaborate with written comments, which reveal a broader spectrum of opinions.
As for suggestions on how Hawaii Superferry can reach out to the community, the majority of responses ask for sincere and open dialogue. Others range from “silence” to “buy an invisible cloak.”
The 12-question survey also covered other Kaua‘i issues before the County Council last year.
On ag subdivisions, participants were relatively split, with 53 percent in favor. Seventy-seven percent supported a shoreline setback bill.
When it comes to the vendor bill relating to peddlers and concessionaires — including the vendor booths to be phased out at Spouting Horn — almost 70 percent of respondents said those benefiting from the bill do not contribute to the Kaua‘i Chamber. However, the majority of the written comments indicated confusion about the question.
Chamber President Randy Francisco said the survey was intended to find out what members thought about the important issues of the third and fourth quarter of last year. The organization periodically surveys its members, but had not asked about the Superferry issue for a few years, Francisco said.
“We wanted to get information from our members and share it with them and the community,” he said.
He added that the most surprising result was the participation, despite the busy holiday season.
About 80 of the 400 or so members took the online survey.
• To view the survey results, visit www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=PGgpNCCQVgaB9xX6z0DGAxXHKHJ3psiZ8MPr5UdRh_2fs_3d
