Should Hawaii Superferry apologize to the people of Kauai?

Question

Details are all over the internet. The entry of this new mode of transportation to the Hawaiian Islands was quite rocky. Many have interpreted the actions of those behind HSf as belligerent and acting without respect to the life of the land or the law of these islands. EIS first is important, no doubt, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled. Instead of honoring that ruling, HSf pushed up inaugural launch by 2 days with $5- fares. No free will abuse here. Invasive species, risks to whales, overloaded island with traffic and more drugs. Get pono or get lost. Help save Kauai!

Yes, it goes beyond HSf to the other elements contributing to the same problems. It appears we are at critical mass, if you will, so it sheds light on the whole picture if we let it. Hopefully, we make some adjustments before it really is too late. Malama 'aina.

The question however is very specific and it is about a way of life, a way of being, and a way of doing business. This is about HSf accountability for being aggressive recently and causing a problem for our community here and now. Above and beyond all the chum you throwin' up here, got to be pono.

Answer 1

The people of Kauai could care less about invasive species, risk to whales, traffic problems, and drugs.

If they really cared about invasive species, they would demand the same invasive-species precautions on the Matson and Young Bros. ships that bring in the toilet paper to wipe their "pono" azz. Why don't they boycott those ships???

If Kauaians want less traffic, why don't they boycott tourists from renting cars?? There's way more rental cars on Kauai's roads than the HSF would bring in at any one time!

If Kauaians were that concerned about drugs, they'd go and hunt down more of those Kauaians who grow (and no doubt sell) drugs on the slopes of Mt. Waialeale--on state land no less!

"Help save Kauai"?? Kauai was lost a long time ago!

My point is, the Hawaii Superferry is just a scapegoat to all of Kauai's problems. Yes, the Garden Isle and the state as a whole is experiencing changing times (not all of them good), but to point the finger at the HSF and even think that stopping them will solve all of our problems is small-minded. Why can't all of these protesters put their energy into the bigger problems that are plaguing our islands?

Answer 2

People of Kauai...please. Its a tiny bunch of residents in Kauai who were, mostly originally from the Mainland to begin with, who are protesting the Superferry. It is not all of Kauai who is against the Superferry. Some locals actually like it because it is cheaper to visit family on other islands when they have specials.
If they have a problem with monitoring invasive species, there will be people monitoring them just like the airlines, cruise ship, etc.
They also have advanced monitoring to avoid whales.
Look at what happened on Maui. When they had the Superferry running, people from Oahu had trucks full of rocks. They caught them didn't they? They got fined didn't they? so what, now?

Answer 3

Why is it that so many transplants are the ones complaining? You are also contributing to the population growth on Kauai. Locals/long-time residents are worried about the economy, how to drive around the island in under two hours during rush hour, and how to deal with uncontrolled development of non-affordable housing.

The EIS was NOT required for the airlines, the transport companies, the cruise ships or practically any other mode of transortation. I agree with the risk to whales, but we are the island group in the US without some type of ferry service (and frankly in much of the developed world).

Next hurricane comes, you will be glad for the Superferry, believe me! Frankly, I just don't think it's economically viable as a business, but we shall see.

Answer 4

Perhaps the people of Kauai should apologize to the rest of the State and the Super Ferry specifically for their hypocrisy, lack of education and lack of common sense. They don't seem to really know why they don't want the SF; they are just following the chant of the major players who will have a financial loss from less expensive inter-Island travel. If you are so worried about "invasive species" etc. why don't you just cut off all trade (including tourism) with the outside world? Yes, let's "save Kauai," Keep it isolated and primitive. Who really needs it when we have ther rest of the world? "You can lead a horse to...etc". Aloha to Kauai!

Answer 5

It is a mode of transportation. That is all it is. It does not fish, pick opihi, load rocks into pickup trucks, surf, or do all that it is accused of. It is method of transport.

There is not one thing, save bringing a vehicle with you, that can not and is not currently being done via airplane or barge.

So to "protect" Kauai from the evil Oahu pests I am to clean and vacuum my car. What about the bottom of my shoes and boots, which are the source of what got into my car in the first place? What about the fungus on the bottom of my hiking boots that are in my luggage checked onto the Aloha flight? What about the disease that affects bent grass that is embedded in the bottom of the golf shoes I was using on the mainland?

It is an alternate mode of transportation that Hawaii should allow.

Answer 6

Governor Lingle should apologize to the state of Hawaii, and give us back our 40 million dollars so that we can improve our infrastructure here on Maui. Today the superferry came here to Maui, so we shall see what will happen. This whole thing was a set up from the beginning but time will tell if this superferry will work for all of us. One of our very prominent Hawaiian leaders said I think I see another pirate ship in our mist. Help save MAUI, Aloha. Further more, this whole mess would have been resolved if their would have been a statewide vote, as a lot of people are for it ,and want to travel to the other Islands. As far as hitting our whales, I hate to say this but the Pacific Whale Foundation boat hit a whale last year here. Changes unfortunately are imminent, as look at north shore Kauai, they are going to develop 100 acres over there, and I love Kauai, and I have a very good friend that lives there and has been there for a very long time. I hate to see this kind of development too, but changes are coming to these poor over populated Islands.