In Defense of
the Superferry
Ferry operators really do want to help residents
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 Hawaii. The ceremony featured a kanaka maoli kahu, Kauila Clark, to carry out the blessing in a traditional Hawaiian manner, as well as entertainers from Hawaii. 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 Hawaii. 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 from folks flying into the neighbor islands and renting a vehicle; the only difference is that Hawaii'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 its lot, which creates a "wash."
I wish to tell the people of Hawaii that there really is no reason to stop the Superferry. The people of Oahu have never had any qualms about neighbor island folks coming to Honolulu to take advantage of better shopping and prices at Ala Moana Center 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 Hawaii's people together, John has offered 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. 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 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, as the Superferry does, to avoid collisions with whales and other marine life.
All the residents of Hawaii have much to gain from Hawaii Superferry service. I humbly ask that we all give this new service a chance to let it work for all our benefit. We Hawaii residents have much to gain from the Superferry, just as we have much to lose if this valuable service disappears.
Hannie H. Anderson
Sponsor, Hawaii Superferry vessel Alakai
Waimanalo
|
Court ruling leaves everyone stranded
The Supreme Court concluded that the state erred in not requiring an environmental study from the Superferry.
The highest court took more than two years to rule on the appeal.
Now we have a divided community, a business bleeding red, stranded cars and $40 million worth of harbor improvements paid by Hawaii taxpayers sitting unused.
These judges should give themselves life sentences as harbor security fending off the protesters!
Loy Kuo
Honolulu
Why pick on ferry? Litter is everywhere
I really don't know what all the fuss is about regarding this Superferry. One article mentions that the people don't want the oceans messed up, and the aquatic life disturbed. For many that's more than likely true, but then explain to me why in the four years I was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, I never once saw locals out cleaning up the very beaches they supposedly love so much.
I was appalled at the disgusting amount of trash and non-natural debris that littered many of the beaches along Oahu's shores. Go down to any of the harbors and tell me why trash is floating on the water and littering the land. Please don't try to convince me and others that this fight is about conserving the ocean ... not when the lack of care is everywhere.
If the Superferry had been available when my family and I were there, I would have used it many times to take my sons to see the beauty of the other islands.
Before people insist on protesting anything, it's imperative they have all the facts and not someone else's opinion to go on. This whole affair is a blemish on the people and state of Hawaii.
Julie Miller
Augusta, Kan.
Surfers leave gobs of gunk in ocean
I write (with tongue in cheek) in reference to the Superferry debacle and the environmental impact statement holding up its operation.
I feel that every surfer should have to file an environmental impact statement. After all, if you add up all their sunscreen lotions, bodily fluids/wastes and waxes from their surfboards, I am sure that there is some pollution going on. In fact why not have every boat owner, from a dinghy to a yacht, file one? Why not take it up a notch and have every car owner do one, as well?
I have just arrived to the islands after spending eight years in Europe, and the thing that amazes me the most is the lack of recycling here. In Europe, they recycle everything, something that should be done here as religiously as Europe does it. What's up with that?
Mario LaMaestra
Mililani
Freedom to travel belongs to all
It's up to our legislative bodies and the courts to determine whether the islands should have an interisland ferry. The issue of deciding where a vessel is welcome in the islands must not be determined by mob rule.
I predict that the Coast Guard, in cooperation with each island's local police, will soon be better prepared to cope with further challenges to legitimate docking, if such should ever arise again.
Jack Telaneus
Honolulu
Anti-ferry analogy went over the edge
I would like to congratulate John Tyler Cragg, director of boycottsuperferry.org, for writing the most incoherent, rambling and downright goofy "analogy" I have ever read (
"Not demanding EIS is like risking AIDS," Star-Bulletin letters, Aug. 30).
Good luck with the boycott, Kauai. Wow.
Keith Miller
Mililani