Maiden Voyage of Hawaii Superferry ALAKAI

[Denise A. Hunyadi]

A new ferry service between the Big Island and Maui began Sunday. While many locals are thrilled about the service (and the super low introductory fares), environmentalists are upset that the $95 million catamaran has begun service without first consulting local residents, and before environmental impact studies have been completed. Here's the link to the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070826/ap_on_re_us/hawaii_superferry;_ylt=ArmstXq3ZcF1h5L0hKWwlE9I2ocA
(You may have to paste this long URL into your browser)

Legal action has already been taken by three environmental groups, and the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in their favor. Superferry began the service in spite of that ruling. In addition, the company already has a second ferry under construction in Alabama with service scheduled to begin for that vessel in 2009.

Sounds like this case is far from being resolved!

Denise

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Environmentalists or nihilists? I suspect the latter.

 

[Jonathan Granato]

Me too, Michael. :-(

 

[Michael H. Standart]

This article I found on MSNBC might help explain things.

Surfing protesters try to block new Hawaii ferry

quote:

HONOLULU - A dozen surfing protestors temporarily blocked the first-ever passenger ferry service among the Hawaiian islands as it tried to complete its second voyage, saying the craft could harm marine life.

Hours after the Hawaii Superferry’s maiden voyage from Honolulu to Maui and back, it was stalled for more than an hour outside Kauai’s Lihue harbor before Coast Guard patrol boats cleared away the surfers and escorted the 349-foot vessel to the dock. Cars were still being driven off the ferry when it was scheduled to be on its way back to Honolulu.

For the rest, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20456489/

Comment: The concerns look valid at first blush but don't hold up well when put into perspective. The islands have ships of all kinds coming and going by the thousands every year, and would literally starve without them. A single ferry isn't going to even come close to the kind of impact that the daily traffic in merchent vessels and warships have, and nobody really bats an eyelash at that.

There's something here that's not being said and it would be refreshing to see some honesty from the activists to come out and explain what their real issues are.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Not everybody is having a hissy fit over the new ferry. From BYM Maritime:

Travel industry welcomes super ferry

quote:

Many a traveler has hopped from city to city on the Eurorail, and now Hawaii has its own version -- on the ocean of course. On Sunday the superferry made its maiden voyage to Maui and will offer regular service between O'ahu, Maui and Kaua'i. According to Jeff Berzola of HawaiianBeachRentals.com, "This adds a whole new level of service we can provide to our customers when putting package deals together. They now will be able to island hop and have an enjoyable boat excursion added to their itinerary."

For more, go to http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=14482

 

[Denise A. Hunyadi]

From what I've read, there are many who are very excited about the new ferry service. It's hard to believe it's the first such service ever offered in Hawaii! For years, travel between islands has been done by plane--but some folks just don't like to fly. This gives them another option.

With all the Naval ships and cruise ships that ply the waters of the Hawaiian Islands, I don't understand why the ferry has become the favorite target of environmentalists there. Perhaps because it's a brand new service, and was going to get a lot of media attention anyway?

The airplane pilots must be getting a good laugh out of this...

Denise

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>...but some folks just don't like to fly.<<

And some can't fly for medical reasons.

>>Perhaps because it's a brand new service, and was going to get a lot of media attention anyway?<<

That may well be the case. "All For The Cause" and all that rot. That and it probably looks like an easy target. They really need to get a sense of preportion here.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Seattle Times:

Hawaii's new ferry selling out despite protesters

quote:

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Superferry faces rough seas after jumping ahead of its launch schedule with two sold-out voyages at radically discounted $5 fares – one temporarily blocked by surfing protesters at the harbor entrance on Kauai.

Environmentalists were going to a Maui judge today to try to halt the giant new passenger and car ferry which is the alternative to air travel among the islands where 1.2 million people live and tens of thousands of tourists arrive each day.

Story at http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003855681_webhawaiiferry27.html

Superferry website at http://www.hawaiisuperferry.com/

Comment: Despite being a smash hit with travelers, the concern posted the following on it's homepage:

"Hawaii Superferry management has announced the company is suspending its Kauai service indefinitely after being informed by the U.S. Coast Guard that it would not be able to assure safe passage for the vessel into Nawiliwili Harbor.

In addition, pending the Maui District Circuit Court ruling on Wednesday, Hawaii Superferry has canceled voyages to and from Maui on Thurdsay, August 30. We are hopeful to continue service to Maui begninning on Friday.

We will be providing more information and instructions for all affected customers soon. Please check back later."

Make of that what you will.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From BYM Maritime News:

Austal built Hawaii Superferry to feature on National Geographic

quote:

A documentary made during the construction, launch and sea trials of the Austal-built Hawaii Superferry will feature in an episode of Megastructures on the National Geographic channel.

Go to http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=14597 for the schedule.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From MSNBC.com:

Hawaii Superferry can't resume, judge rules

quote:

WAILUKU, Hawaii - A state judge has denied a request to lift a temporary restraining order that bars Hawaii Superferry from using Maui's Kahului Harbor.

The company and the state argued that the ferry should be allowed to operate while a required environmental assessment is done.

For the rest, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20517942/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From MSNBC:

Hawaii’s Superferry to resume partial service

quote:

HONOLULU - The Hawaii Superferry, halted nearly a month because of protests and legal challenges over its potential environmental impact, will resume service between Oahu and Kauai this month with heightened security, Gov. Linda Lingle said Wednesday.

Lingle, a supporter of the Superferry, said the vessel will resume service Sept. 26 on a temporary daytime schedule, arriving at Kauai’s Nawiliwili Harbor at 11 a.m., eight hours ahead of its usual stop. The daytime hours are being used to better ensure public safety, but it may inconvenience cruise ships.

For the rest, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20754860/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Star Bulletin:

Ferry needs to run to pay debt, fed says

quote:

WAILUKU » A federal Maritime Administration official says that if the Hawaii Superferry defaults on its loan, U.S. taxpayers could lose $140 million.

Jean McKeever, the office's assistant administrator for business and work force development, said the Maritime Administration issued the Superferry a loan guarantee of $140 million, and the first semiannual payment of $3 million is due in November. McKeever said the Hawaii Superferry has to operate to pay off the debt.

For the rest, see http://starbulletin.com/2007/09/15/news/story04.html

Comment: A wonderful exposition of the blindingly obvious.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From The Navy Times:

CG ready to protect Superferry, should it sail

quote:

As Hawaii courts debate the future of the inter-island Superferry, the Coast Guard has adapted its deployment schedule to ensure it has enough assets to protect the Superferry should the 350-foot passenger vessel sail anytime soon.

According to a Sept. 24 Associated Press report, the Coast Guard canceled a planned month-long deployment by the 225-foot seagoing buoy tender Kukui so it would be available for Superferry security.

For the rest, see http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/coastguard_superferry_071003w/

Comment: Does anyone have a sense that things are getting a bit out of hand when a ferry is seen as needing an armed escort in home waters in peacetime?

 

[Michael H. Standart]

The game goes on. From MSNBC:

Judge's Ruling Keeps Superferry In Port

quote:

HONOLULU - Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza ended four weeks of a hearing on Tuesday for the Hawaii Superferry by ruling to keep the vessel from sailing until an environmental study is done.

Story at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21211920/

 

[Michael H. Standart]

From MSNBC:

Hawaii Superferry Furloughs 249 Workers

quote:

HONOLULU - The management of the Hawaii Superferry told workers on Thursday afternoon it would furlough 250 employees. The announcement comes days after a Maui judge's ruling put the Superferry's operations on hold.

The furlough puts 75 percent of the company's employees out of work for the time being.

For the rest, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21258361/from/RS.1/

Hawaii Superferry President John Garibaldi's statement is at http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news/14322732/detail.html