• Give ferry a chance • EIS not unfair • My voice on Superferry • It is my time Give ferry a chance As the sponsor and christener of the Hawaii Superferry’s first vessel, “Alakai,” I’d like to offer my
• Give ferry a chance
• EIS not unfair
• My voice on Superferry
• It is my time
Give ferry a chance
As the sponsor and christener of the Hawaii Superferry’s first vessel, “Alakai,” I’d like to offer my mana‘o on this situation. When I traveled with my husband to the shipyard in Alabama to christen the Alakai, we witnessed firsthand the Hawaii Superferry’s commitment to the people of Hawai‘i. The ceremony featured a Kanaka Ma‘oli kahu, Kauila Clark, to carry out the blessing in a traditional Hawaiian manner, as well as entertainers from Hawai‘i. The event was extremely “pono,” and I am honored to have been part of it.
The Hawaii Superferry is for all of us, by “us,” I mean the people of Hawai‘i. It will provide all of us with an affordable means to visit family and friends and enjoy leisure time together on the Neighbor Islands. People coming off of the Superferry with vehicles is no different than folks flying into the Neighbor Islands and renting a vehicle; the only difference is that Hawai‘i’s people will be allowed to bring their vehicles with them rather than renting a car. For every vehicle brought to a Neighbor Island, a rental car agency vehicle remains parked on their lot, which creates a “wash.”
I wish to tell the people of Hawai‘i that there really is no reason to stop the Hawaii Superferry. The people of O‘ahu have never had any qualms about Neighbor Island folks coming to Honolulu to take advantage of better shopping and prices at Ala Moana or any of the other goodies that our island offers. Why do Neighbor Islanders want to deny us an opportunity to enjoy what their islands have to offer? Hawaii Superferry and its chief executive officer, John L. Garibaldi, really have the best interests of our people at heart. In addition to creating a business whose mission is to bring Hawai‘i’s people together, John has offered Hawaii Superferry vessels, free of charge, to Gov. Linda Lingle for state use during times of emergency. When the next hurricane or tsunami strikes our islands, there is a good chance that our state’s airports will not be able to receive air traffic, making shipment by sea the only available means to transport goods and people between islands. John Garibaldi and the good people at Hawaii Superferry are aware of this fact, and they’ve already pledged to help all of us in any time of emergency.
No Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was ever required of Norwegian Cruise Lines, Matson or Young Bros. Keep in mind that NCL, Matson and Young Bros. vessels do not use sonar technology, either, as the Superferry does, to avoid collisions with whales and other marine life.
All the residents of Hawai‘i have much to gain from Hawaii Superferry service in our state. I humbly ask that all of us give this new service a chance to let it work for all our benefit. We Hawai‘i residents have much to gain from the Hawaii Superferry, just as we have much to lose if this valuable service disappears.
Hannie H. Anderson
Waimanalo, O‘ahu
EIS not unfair
Accusations have been made that those asking Hawaii Superferry to perform an EIS are radical and unfair. Proponents of HSF say the Superferry has been singled out at the last minute. Those asking for an EIS are only trying to make certain that this venture moves forward responsibly. All islands are experiencing traffic congestion, infrastructure shortcomings, and numerous other problems. Allowing HSF to start service without a proper EIS will only compound these problems.
I am thankful to Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow and Kahului Harbor Coalition for taking the time, the energy, and incurring the expense, to make certain our islands and our marine life are protected.
Please consider the following:
• HEPA (Hawai‘i Environmental Policy Act) went into effect in 1974. Matson, Young Bros., Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines were in business prior to that. In addition, Hawaii Superferry received state and federal funding — triggers for an EIS.
• Requests for an EIS were not “at the 11th hour.” Requests have been made continuously over the past two years, and the county councils on Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island all requested that an EIS be performed prior to HSF commencing service.
• Groups have asked for environmental studies to be done for the cruise lines as well as the airlines and barge companies. Once again, they were met with resistance. I believe at this point in time folks are becoming disillusioned with big business and government, and are becoming more aware, active and involved.
Many concerns have yet to be addressed by Hawaii Superferry. Only through an EIS will this venture be able to move forward responsibly. Taking the time to perform an EIS before HSF starts service will prevent problems and the need for additional county, state and/or federal funding to address those problems.
Jeff Sacher
Big Island
My voice on Superferry
I just wanted to let it be known that Stephen Shioi (“Apologizes to O‘ahu,” Letters, Sept. 1) does not speak for me as a resident of the island of Kaua‘i. I do not think O‘ahu residents who still understand what is so special about Hawai‘i, or ever did, would fault our residents for being of loud voice now when they have been ignored for so long.
Some 6,000 signatures do not lie, they represent 10 percent of the population of the island, which is one-twentieth that of O‘ahu.
I think the ones on O‘ahu you’re hearing from are a very different group than those who came to Kaua‘i in aid post Iniki, at least the ones I’ve talked to. Of all people, those are the ones who would understand our concerns and the need to preserve one of the last vestiges of wilderness in our state, for as long as possible, the most.
And I resent the characterization that only someone born and raised in any one place could not appreciate or value another enough to stand up for it in the face of adversity in genuine solidarity with it’s natives. Shame on you.
That is as silly a concept as blaming Rep. Mina Morita for not being able to move the Legislature, single handed.
Dave Namesnik
Kilauea
It is my time
I have avoided weighing in on the subject of the Superferry, but when I saw a letter from someone cheering Gov. Linda Lingle’s mean-spirited, schoolmarmish response to Sen. Gary Hooser’s letter on the Aug. 31, Forum page, I decided it was time.
The governor acts as if it is a suprise to her that the people of Kaua‘i object to the Superferry being railroaded through without an EIS. This is the same governor who ignored the requests of all the Neighbor Island county councils for such a study and refused even to allow her secretary to accept a petition signed by over 6,000 voting citizens of Kaua‘i. Yes, O‘ahu represents three-fourths of the state’s population, but I would like to think that the governor cared about all of her constituents, including the 25 percent who live on Neighbor Islands.
Apparently not.
Wendy McIlroy
Koloa
