Superferry, or Superscary?
The Superferry classifies itself as “H-4”, linking the Hawaiian islands together like freeways. Via taxpayers, $40 million will be funded through reimbursable bonds issued by the Legislature for harbor upgrades throughout the state of Hawaii.
Many KAUAI residents feel the Superferry has been forced upon them, this is a place where you get to decide if that is the case. Some like the idea of a Superferry, others hate it.
Please select “Comments”, below the voting polls, and express your views on this issue either before or after casting your votes.
Each month, your votes and a summary of this topics comments will be forwarded to each County and/or State official connected with decision making on this issue.
Filed under Superferry |83 Responses to “Superferry, or Superscary?”
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This is the place where you can speak your mind and get heard.
The ferry will help all the island that it serves. I will be able to shop in Honolulu and get better prices. It wil be nice to travel on the ferry, just like other ferry’s around the world. If people are coming to Kauai they rent cars anyway. What makes the economy run on Kauai - tourist. If it doesn’t work or if the poeple don’t use it - it wil stop. Market conditions will say if it is for the island or not.
I really think we all want to have the best of anything available to us and this is one more step. Many of our residence have never been to another island due to the fact they need to fly. I do not say that the superferry is cheaper or more economical, but it is another choice people need to make.
Here is the deal. Kauai has bottle-necking traffic issues on nearly every main road. Sacrifice the dollar, not this island and the people who live here! Build the roads first and then we can talk Superferry. Great title to this topic, I say “Superscary”.
Fair is fair regarding Superferry
I lived on Kaua‘i for eight years and still read the TGI online. I’m amazed that the same ol’ stuff that was going on years ago still persists.
Regarding the Superferry, I don’t quite understand the argument entirely.
I believe the Superferry should have been required to perform an EIS. What I don’t understand is why so much is being focused on an EIS for the Superferry, when it’s never been required of Matson, Horizon or Young Brothers.
Granted, the Superferry is the “new” problem on the island, but freighters carrying goods to and from Kaua‘i have certainly caused more than their share of ocean and reef damage, insect and rodent infestations, and illegal transporting of drugs, etc…
So, I ask: What’s the big deal with the Superferry all of a sudden and why are the protesters not holding the government accountable to require EIS for all large transport vessels?
Perhaps if you broadened your scope to include the three largest transport companies in the state, your argument would be considered more valid.
And, just for the sake of argument, I’m not in support of the Superferry. I just think isolating this one issue is making the argument weaker, not stronger.
Has anyone thought of that?
When I lived on the island, we received containers filled with furniture. Backpacking those containers were mice, rats, drugs, post beetles, termites, and more. You name it, it was always found in shipping containers. What makes people think that just because they’re benefiting from goods being shipped IN that it’s any safer, any less impacting on the environment, or any less subject to the same scrutiny you’re demanding of the Superferry?
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
And, you letter writers are right. The Aloha spirit started to diminish a LONG time ago on Kaua‘i. It’s still a concept, but nowhere near as visible as it used to be.
It seems the lack of accountability on the part of county officials has been in existence for decades, yet people continue to elect the same representatives. The court system seems to be as corrupt and sanctimonious as ever, the traffic congestion is worse, and the permitting of developments shows no end in sight.
I miss the island and its people, my friends and extended ohana.
What I DON’T miss is the ever growing bitterness, the resentment and bigotry, and the lack of county officials to step up and take responsibility for their actions or inaction.
Good luck in your fight.
Aloha to you all and best wishes.
Jeff
If protestors were to have their way, the whales would be safe from possible injury from collisions with the SuperFerry. If people with common sense were to have their way, protestors would no longer participate in the slaughter and eating of cows, pigs, lambs, and chickens. Which of the two ways do you think would have the greater impact on the environment and upon the consciousness of humans? That’s pretty easy to answer.
Cows produce more methane than do all the cars in the world. Cows consume more grains than do people and they do it extraordinarily inefficiently in terms of calories per pound of food for humans. The raising of all that grain to feed cows and other food animals depletes soil that has taken thousands of years to form.
Water use in the raising and slaughter of food animals is extravagant and the Ogallala Aquifer in the Midwest, once the largest source of fresh water in the world, is being drained at an alarming rate and cannot last twenty
more years. Cows in a single feedlot produce more fecal material than does the city of Philadelphia and this waste is not, I repeat, is not run through any treatment plant, but certainly does contaminate ground water.
Meat distribution requires massive amounts of energy for hauling and refrigeration. Fertilizer and its application require more massive amounts of energy and because the soil has lost much of its nutritive value because of intensive farming, fertilizer has become absolutely necessary to the modern farmer even as the quality of what he raises has and continues to decline.
Animals are subject to unbelievable cruelty, but because they are merely food animals few people care and protestors do not show up very often outside slaughterhouses. Isaac Bashevis Singer once said that “For animals every day is Treblinka.” How many protestors after having such a joyous time yelling, waving signs, and cheering one another’s righteousness, then headed on home in their cars to their refrigerators where they store the meat that they cooked up and ate for energy enough to restore themselves from their efforts to save the whales and save the environment?
We might also ask that same Sierra Club that now opposes the SuperFerry what effect did its vehement opposition to nuclear power over the past forty years have on our current energy problems and global warming? Did the Sierra Club do an environmental impact review on what its righteous opposition meant to the people of the world?
And why one might ask of protestors, why don’t you stand alongside the highways yelling and blocking peoples’ way while you protest the regular killing of human beings there? Why would you continue to drive yourself when you know absolutely that there is the chance you might kill someone? The ferry might kill a whale, you might absolutely kill a human being. Shouldn’t you be restrained from that if you won’t stop on your own volition? Don’t you care?
“Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if
she laid an asteroid.” — Mark Twain
Fact #1: The Superferry was scheduled to arrive once a day on Kauai, dropping off an average of 500 passengers.
Fact #2: Over 40 flights per day land on Kauai, dropping off an average of 8,000 passengers.
Conclusion: Anyone that is suggesting that the Super Ferry is going to make a serious impact on Kauai traffic is crazy.
Being born and raised on Kauai, and having talked to many family members and friends who still live on the island, it is absolutely clear that xenophobia is driving the protests. This isn’t about the EIS (although it’s a great scape goat). Neither is it about traffic, or any other cooked-up excuse. Kauai just doesn’t like outsiders. Period. And most of the “protesters” are just jumping on the bandwagon — heck, they think the EIS is about whales, when it’s really about the dock improvements. Just goes to show the mob mentality that exists on Kauai. It’s sad, really.
I pray that the Superferry clears up it’s legal matters, and begins service again soon. After a week of voyages, the Kauai protesters will run out of steam, and things will be back to normal around these parts.
Drug smugglers
The superferry posses a threat to our already troubled island. The superferry can be an ideal opportunity for drug dealers from Oahu to smuggle illegal drugs over and sale them to the many addicts that are hooked on ice and marijuana. How strong of law enforcement and security will there be to address this issue?
Homelessness
The superferry will also serve the increasing pressure of homeless people to move from Oahu to the outer islands. Do we need more Homeless people on Kauai? Do we need more homeless people camping and hanging out infront of the Historic County Building? This is an eye sore for our beautiful island. I have great sympthy for the homeless, but we do lack the services to contend with these issues.
There are many plus’s that superferry will bring, but we need to be open minded of the other challenges and potential problems that can and might arise as a result of this new means of transportation.
The Super Ferry doesn’t create additional visitors. It gives existing visitors an alternative means of travel.
It doesn’t matter whether a visitor comes to Kauai by Plane or Boat. Either way, they’re driving. Whether it be a rent-a-car or their own car. So, it’s the same amount of cars on the road.
The Super Ferry will also be good competition for the airlines. It will help to keep the airline ticket prices fair (instead of the $90+ prices we paid a year ago).
#1 I do think the superferry will bring more illegal drugs to the island…but that doesn’t mean more people will be doing drugs, only the same clowns that already do will have more. Not an issue.
#2 MAYBE killed whales due to the higher speed of the boat.
#3 No more traffic, just fewer rental cars.
#4 I’m glad the protestors were able to speak their minds…It’s a democracy. However they sure included a lot of Bozos that were there to protest most anything and didn’t have a clue as to the issues. Not to mention they went WAY overboard With profanity, signs, voilence etc. in front of MANY children. Nice example eh?
Is that the spirit of aloha?
#5 Bottom line…politics and money will rule.
I’m not for or against it…..But it’s surely not cost effective. It will burn out unless the rates are reduced anyway.
That’s my two cents worth.
I have attached a letter published as a letter to the editor Editor of the Garden Island Newspaper Monday 10 Sept 2007. It speaks to the irony of the collapsing argument of the 1000 Friends Of Kauai and others about the negative issues related to the SuperFerry. The author is responsible for towing cargo barges bound for Kauai from the ” Pestilent island of Oahu”. He speaks the common an undeniable truth. What the protest is about is a lot of misinformation and paranoid fear. His daily haul of cargo containers and barges are full of aggregate rocks, soil, sand, plants, cars and ISO container boxes that are not-inspected before shipment. I ask you to open your eyes to the whole issue and realize your worst fears are already a reality. If you place the same restrictions on existing shipping companies that you would place on the Supperferry, you might as well live on Niihau cause fuel, building supplies and food would stop and unless you have a garden you will starve.
His Words–
“We’ll make room
In the last few years Matson, Young Brothers, Smith Maritime, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Sause Brothers have all brought new ships, tugs and barges into Hawaiian waters. The state has provided some type of harbor improvements for several of them, new stronger bollards, security fencing, fuel piping under the docks for ever larger fuel barges.
Why didn’t the Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow or 1,000 Friends of Kauai protest those vessels until they completed an environmental review? Perhaps we should halt the Chevron and Tessoro shipments to Kaua‘i and Maui until the new fuel barges undergo an environmental review.
I work on the interisland tugs towing barges loaded with everything from general cargo, fuel, cars, trees, bulk sand and cement, to name a few. There is no washing of cars or equipment; sand comes from the quarry directly to the barge and is off-loaded at the destination without a second look.
The Superferry may look big but it can’t carry a fraction of the cargo that travels between the islands on a daily basis. Anyone can ship entire containers of whatever they want and have it delivered to their doorstep without any problems. The people who are worried about guns, drugs and invasive species on the ferry should open their eyes and see how this state really works.
Most of the guys I work with on the tugs support the ferry and want to see another transportation option in Hawai‘i. The maritime industry in Hawai‘i has to make room for the Superferry in the harbors. But that is just part of the job, no big deal.
Michael Bowles, tug captain
Lihu‘e”
Many people on Kauai want the superferry, it is only the vocal minority that is yelling the loudest, and they are being resented, and if they wanted to force a fight at the pier, they will get it sooner or later from locals on Kauai who want the superferry. And why not force an EIS on Young Brothers, Matson, and the Cruise Ships? Why pick on Superferry? Some years ago, we had Seaflight but it stopped on its own. Why not let the market decide?
It seems like the people of Kauai are pretty much fed up with the lack of regard for the residents when new projects and developments get pushed through the system of Government. But why does it seem like the super ferry is getting so much attention, while the rest of the landscape is getting *abused by project after project. They don’t even consider the lack of infrastructure to support these developments. It’s just …go and build, build and build until the place looks like Oahu.
* Comment has been moderated.
Sam, I think all environmental laws should be followed. So yes, Lets get an EIS on all of the projects and businesses. I say dont stop at the superferry, I say its only a start.
HI.. The SuperFerry Protestors have not done their homework. They have not done their EIS on who brings in the autos that use our roads. (The answer is the new/used card dealers and rental-car-agencies, not the SuperFerry. The Hawaiian Island citizens (or Visitors, if any)will come for a weekend or a day or two, visit TUTU, see Kauai, and then leave, taking their cars with them. Rental Car Agencies may not allow vehicles to travel on the SuperFerry, as they have cars already here on Kauai,and it will expose the vehicle to additional wear and tear on it, besides what happens if the car needs repair on an “Outer Island”, and the vehicle is abandon here and left without care of it, and the people just go back to Oahu and fly home? The Tutu on the news tonight was questioning that the visitors will destroy the flowers and natural fauna. The visitors are guided by the “Naturalists” on most trails as they don’t know where to go. It is the barges, and the visiting ships that bring in different vegitation, animals, etc. as they to to foreign ports, NOT the SuperFerry, which only travels from one Hawaiian Island port to another. SO.. protestors, you are protesting the wrong business. They should protest new car arrivals on the barge, or the New/Used Car Dealers and the rental-car-agencies, NOT the SuperFerry. They are being given misguided information by someone, and protesting a new technology that is here to help them. The protesting may actually be for the possibility of publicity reasons, NOT protection of the Island Lifestyle.
The superferry is a business. Not an H-4. Do the H-1,2,3 on Oahu have tolls and fees? How come our taxpaying money has payed for a business service used mainly for tourists. If anyone should be taxed, the superferry should be taxed by our government for it’s impact. Instead us kanakas and residents, and even mainlanders have all paid their hard earned money to a business. Why do you ask? Because of Lingle. She has made it clear that she initiated this and supports it 110%. Why do you ask? Could it be that in this bankrolling of big business that her or her associates are seeing a cut? Of course. Wake UP? Yes an island ferry is a super great idea, expecially if it was an H-4 that us residents could go on for a subsidized fee, since we funded it. Yet this superferry will be a business, a business that our island was not in demand of enough that a company could have funded it by itself or through a bank. Anybody supporting THIS superferry is supporting the destruction of aloha on the ladder towards every island becoming a privately owned hotel and business.
Heres my opinion:
I think the Superferry was a nice IDEA. Just an IDEA. It was a good thought to have a semi cheap ticket to Oahu and you were able to bring your car.
But heres the DOWNSIDE to it. And there is a lot. Well at least in my opinion.
Think of the traffic that you get stuck in from wailua-kapaa. Imagine if choke people from Oahu started coming down with their cars. We’d have traffic from Hanamaulu through Kapaa.
And what about the homeless people. What if they get a one way ticket to Kauai? Do we really want them living on our beaches? pitching tents and just living there?
And besides that do we want our beaches to be crowded like Oahus beaches. And if they bring their trucks even worse. This past labor day. Beaches were crowded enough, and thats just Kauaiians. Think of if theres 10x more people.
Another downfall, and I think this to be the biggest is City.
Kauai is basically the only island that isnt a city. Its a laid back place. A place to relax, a place to get away from Oahus city life. Its a small community and I like it that way.
Think of this. If Kauai turned into a City where would we all go to relax. Mainland people come to hawaii to relax. and although all of the mainland might not be city, they come to Hawaii because it’s PARADISE. If kauai was a city, Oahu is a city, Maui is turning into a city, and its all city city city. Whats the beauty in that?
Nothing. Our island would just be another Oahu. Full of people that dont really know their neighbors, and an island that has too much cars and light polution.
Dont let Kauai get like this!
We need to appreciate the beauty in things. The beauty of this island, and the beauty of our small yet close knitted community.
Although Honolulu people are viewing us as savages, per say, because we block the superferry by canoe, jet ski, surfboards and boats…. at least we all get together as a community and take a stand for something we believe in. Good job guys.
I do however think the slashing of peoples tires and trashing their cars was going a bit too far.
But other than that, i’m all for the extinction of the superferry! =]
A’ole Superferry!!!
Still talk about SF increasing traffic, homeless, and drugs?
—
“Imagine if choke people from Oahu started coming down with their cars. We’d have traffic from Hanamaulu through Kapaa.” - Chauncie wrote
The SF won’t create more visitors. It’ll just give travelers another means of travel. Folks don’t wake up in the morning and say, “I wasn’t going anywhere today, but since there’s a boat…I guess I’ll go to Kauai.”
Besides, if someone goes to Kauai, they’re going to rent a car and drive. Compare that to someone taking a boat over here and driving. (1 = 1) If there is less demand for rental cars, then the car rental companies will fleet down and ship cars off of the island.
If you’re worried about traffic, you should mind the luxury resorts being built and the homes that are turning into vacation rentals. Those are the things that increase capacity.
“And what about the homeless people. What if they get a one way ticket to Kauai?” - Chauncie wrote
If you’re a homeless person living on the beach on Oahu, why would you want to come to Kauai? Think about it. Kauai has less resources, shelters and other programs.
“The superferry can be an ideal opportunity for drug dealers from Oahu to smuggle illegal drugs over and sale them to the many addicts that are hooked on ice and marijuana.” - Concerned Kauaian wrote
You mean like fishing boats, tour boats, airplanes, and the postal service? And don’t forget about the stuff that is grown and made on Kauai.
I would like to applaud everyone that has spoken their minds and has stood together in this issue. That shows that we care about our island and that rapid changes to our life style is in danger from being overly influenced by big business and special interest groups that want their share of the pie.
Remember Kaua’i is one last place in the entire Hawaiian Island Chain that is fighting to preserve the rural life style and trying to withstand the onslaught of commerical enterprise and population over growth.
As Residents of our Beautiful Island Kauai, KUDOS to all of you for voicing your concerns and expressing your thoughts to our challenging changes. ALOHA
I agree with concerned Kauaian =]
I guess what bothers me is that basically the super ferry is good for Oahu and not good for any other island.So it was assumed that it was good for the state.I don’t rememeber any survey asking if we as citizens of Kauai want a Superferry??? It was assumed that what is good for Oahu is good for the state.The cosequences for Kauai far out way the benifits.I think out fo respect we should have at least been asked, and or put to a vote!!!
Here is food for thought. When I first came to kauai almost 30 years ago, I remember when we used to travel from waimea to lihue we used to see about 11 to 12 cars for every minute of traveling on the highway, NOW we see 40 to 50 vehicles traveling on kaumalii hwy. Now that is alot of cars. That is why preserving our life style is very important that we have today. Rapid growth in development and population is occuring as we speak, thats why we need to take action in taking on these other changes and have them addressed and not to be unchecked for possible adverse effects on our ecosystem, environment, and way of living.
I dont mean to put anyone down on this thing.
But my boyfriend and I were talking today, about how some people think that the superferry wont cause traffic, and that it’ll only pose less rental cars.
But think of this.
Most of the superferry travelers will be inter island travlers.
Inter island travlers will bring their own cars.
Then their are those who come from the Mainland… They have to rent a car.
Thus we will have local cars, inter island travlers w/ their cars, and tourist with their cars.
I honestly think it’ll make traffic worst.
Regarding the SF creating more traffic.
People who live on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island aren’t suddenly going to travel because there is a Ferry. They will travel because they want to visit the island. They will come here whether it be by plane or boat.
If they come here by plane, they’ll rent a car. If they come here by SF, they’ll drive their own car. Either way, it’s the same number of cars.
If you think that the SF will cause people on Maui, Oahu and the Big Isle to suddenly travel, think about it. Will you?
Now that there’s a SF, you and everyone you know will suddenly go to Maui with their cars? Of course not. You’ll go to Maui when you want to visit family, or take a vacation. Not for sake of traveling because you can go by boat.
I don’t own a house on Kauai, but I consider myself a Kauaian anyway. So as a business owner on Kauai, I definitely oppose the SuperFerry to be coming here on a regular basis. I just got back from work, having sat in traffic for a while even without the superferry, imagine what it’d be like if 200 cars arrived to the island daily! There’s other concerns as well, environmental, drug traffic, kidnapping. The kauai channel gets pretty rough sometimes too, would you rather sit on the SuperFerry for 4 hours in a stormy sea hugging a trash can? or take a 20 minute flight on a major airline - we got 3 already (including Go!). Plus it’s fun to fly! Enjoy the view from the sky as you approach or leave the island, gives you a whole new perspective at where you live - it does to me - everytime I go.
I vote for stopping the SuperFerry for good!
All we need is more traffic at KE’E?
in all of this madness surrounding the superferry, is the government’s refusal to listen to the vaild concerns of the residents of the nieghbor islands. whether it is the coast guard declaring martial law and a complete shutdown of the harbor during the demonstrations that will occur on the 26 or the governor issuing a statement that gives the superferry the green light to blast through the royal kauaiian navy of boogie boards, swimmers, surfers and paddlers. this determined group of protesters were so effective because of their passion for this special island. why does the government refuse to listen and heed the requests of resonable people who just ask that the state follow the law-hrs 343. complete the EA before operations begin and the protests stop, the harbor is free to use as it sshould be. we must ask why does our governor refuse to see the other side of the issue? she seems so pro superferry that she is willing to flaunt the laws of the land. and if she is so willing to flaunt the law, why shouldn’t the protesters, whether they be on land, sea or helicoptered in. keep asking questions and hopefully we’ll get some answers to help resolve this conflict with out anyone getting hurt.
You know I first came to Kauai I was amazed at the beauty and peacefulness of the island. I noticed how quiet and friendly the island was - and that’s what keeps me coming back. You know at first I thought the ferry would be a good thing,but when I saw the prices I was shocked. It would be so much less to just keep flying. Then I thought about the congestion it would cause to the harbor, and the rest of the town. It’s displacing the people who canoe & surf - who’s harbor it really is. I also know how busy it gets when the cruise ships are in, and the tourists are driving crazy all over town trying to take everything in in one afternoon. I really don’t think this was the best idea, but it’s hard to change the “powers that be” minds about progress. I hope we don’t regret bringing this to the beautiful islands.
Alot of good dialogue on both sides. One thing to remember though..what is the law? Our society was built on laws. Some good, some not so good. But that is part of a democracy. I can see why the major carriers (ie. Aloha, Hawaiian, Go, Young Brothers, Matson etc..) of people and cargo has stayed out of the Superferry issue. The Superferry is being judged and convicted by a kind of minority that is not aware of the laws on the books. These same laws allow the major carriers to transfer people, cars, materials, furniture,etc.. (and yes drugs, homeless, rental car drivers) without the dreaded word “EIS” being mentioned. I say, let the elected officials, that yes “we” elected, do their jobs and have the Superferry be the “sacrificial lamb” and get an EIS while they operate under the laws of the land. Otherwise folks, get ready to pay in another way, when the conglomerate that owns the boat turns around and sues the proverbial “pants” of of us taxpayers…think about all the money that would be taken away from the needy, homeless and drug intervention then… Just my thoughts…
To mike.. correct me if I’m wrong. but The superferry has’nt paid a dime out of their own pocket yet. Your argument that we should allow the superferry to come before EIS, just so that we don’t get sued, is far off from the truth. In fact the Superferry just announced today the real truth.. “oh you don’t want us? We will go now before we lose any of our own money, thanks for the loans~” No mention of any lawsuit. If we don’t stand by the principles of justice, then we will be walked on top of every instance in the future. Their are countless times in u.s. politics., where huge developments have seen million dollar kickbacks by those in office. The only one who will be biting the bullet hard on the Superferry not going through.. will be Lingle! Her financiers would not fund her for a second term, if she can not do a simple job as taking her kickback, and pushing a super conglomerate business through. Your argument reminds me of the lawsuit, in which a burglar fell through a window, seriously injured himself, and then sued the landlord. Ridiculous Yes?
I think that taking rocks was stupid!
Just think about that.
What if people come to Kauai and take things from our land to sell it to other people for profit.
Drug traffic, regular traffic, taking things from our land.
I see no positive in the superferry.
If people are going to take things from our island and create MORE traffic… It shouldnt be here.
chauncie on September 11, 2007 5:46 pm I dont mean to put anyone down on this thing.
But my boyfriend and I were talking today, about how some people think that the superferry wont cause traffic, and that it’ll only pose less rental cars.
But think of this.
Most of the superferry travelers will be inter island travlers.
Inter island travlers will bring their own cars.
Then their are those who come from the Mainland… They have to rent a car.
Thus we will have local cars, inter island travlers w/ their cars, and tourist with their cars.
I honestly think it’ll make traffic worst.
Chauncie, I’m not sure I understand your math. SuperFerry riders may or may not bring a vehicle with them. If they don’t, they will probably need to rent one. Passengers on planes who are visiting will more than likely need to rent a vehicle. I do not see how it would make for any significant increase in vehicles.
Dee on September 12, 2007 6:08 pm I don’t own a house on Kauai, but I consider myself a Kauaian anyway. So as a business owner on Kauai, I definitely oppose the SuperFerry to be coming here on a regular basis. I just got back from work, having sat in traffic for a while even without the superferry, imagine what it’d be like if 200 cars arrived to the island daily! There’s other concerns as well, environmental, drug traffic, kidnapping. The kauai channel gets pretty rough sometimes too, would you rather sit on the SuperFerry for 4 hours in a stormy sea hugging a trash can? or take a 20 minute flight on a major airline - we got 3 already (including Go!). Plus it’s fun to fly! Enjoy the view from the sky as you approach or leave the island, gives you a whole new perspective at where you live - it does to me - everytime I go.
Dee,
Are you making choices for people? That may be your preference but it may not be that of others. You also imply that the influx of vehicles from Oahu would be a one way trip. I think most people would want to take their vehicle home with them. As a business owner, you could try to think of the opportunities that it may offer you. I do not know what kind of business you do but perhaps you could use the SuperFerry to expand your market.
Concerned Kauaian on September 11, 2007 10:42 am I would like to applaud everyone that has spoken their minds and has stood together in this issue. That shows that we care about our island and that rapid changes to our life style is in danger from being overly influenced by big business and special interest groups that want their share of the pie.
Remember Kaua’i is one last place in the entire Hawaiian Island Chain that is fighting to preserve the rural life style and trying to withstand the onslaught of commerical enterprise and population over growth.
As Residents of our Beautiful Island Kauai, KUDOS to all of you for voicing your concerns and expressing your thoughts to our challenging changes. ALOHA
Concerned Citizen,
I understand your concerns and I agree that there is some validity in them. I am not sure I agree with you about population growth. More than likely it would be short term visitors. Many would probably use it to visit family or relatives.
As far as development, i don’t believe that would have anything to do with the SuperFerry. If I were going to move there, I think I’d need more than a carload of stuff to move. When my son’s baseball team went to Kona for a tournament, we had to lug baseball gear, an infant, 2 car seats, and clothes to the airport, to the car rental, to the hotel room, back to the car, back to the airport, back to our car, and finally home. When SuperFerry was announced, I thought how convinient that would be to just have to leave all that stuff in the car for the 13 players on his team. It would have also been nice to visit a friend in Hilo but I’m not sure the Kona car rental would think highly of us leaving it in Hilo. Well, maybe for a fee.
As for the SuperFerry bringing drugs to Kaua’i, why not suggest that the Ferry owners finance a program of putting drug sniffing dogs on every voyage, full time. It will create jobs, security personnel, as well as create a larger demand for drug detecting animals that can also be used in other areas of public endeavors.
John Hoff
as a person born on Kauai,father born and raised in Hanalei, mother born and raised in Waimea, i am now retired.couple of things,traffic will not increase as every person that brings his car with him on the SF will mean 1 less rental car on the road = 0 gain, loser car rental Drugs ? I think the last big bust/arrest you had on public land answers that question. so if i wanted to go to Kauai for a couple of days to visit family / friends, as our family go back 100 years on kauaii would I be challenged, confronted , threatned and abused by these protesters for wanting to visit my island home? to all you Kauaiians that are pro SF, why aren’t you out there showing your support for the SF instead of the minority groups of protesters getting all of the media and showing the world what Hawaii is not
Kamaaina:
oahu/maui cars [superferry] + kauai cars + other people who use rental cars = more traffic.
At the moment we only have kauai cars + some rental cars.
It’d be adding MORE cars from the people who travel the superferry and bring their cars.
Make more roads and then we’ll talk superferry!
Make sure theres no drug traffic and then we’ll talk superferry.
make sure visitors arent smuggling thing from our land then we’ll talk superferry.
oahu/maui cars [superferry] + kauai cars + other people who use rental cars = more traffic.
At the moment we only have kauai cars + some rental cars.
It’d be adding MORE cars from the people who travel the superferry and bring their cars.
Yes, cars may come from Oahu or Maui by SuperFerry however those who bring their cars would not likely rent a car on Kauai. I wouldn’t think there would be a significant change.
to Kama’aina ~
- The equation is simple.
1. Tourists will not increase or decrease.
2. Rental cars for tourists will not increase or decrease
3. Hawaiian resident tourists will increase w/ their cars
Why you ask #3? Because this is the Marketing approach the Superferry will take. Lingle already announced what should be insider information about the Superferry Marketing Technique. The H-4 ! How does she know? Because she is part of the business, not the solution.
I am against the Superferry mainly because I am more republican than this so called Republican Businesswoman hiding behind her Party. Taxes should always be the minimum impact as possible on the public. Yet Lingle has just subsidized 300 million on a Superferry Business, that was not in demand enough that a private business could fund it by self or through standard commercial banks. As others have stated we have other Transport ships already that are remit from EIS to transport cars and goods.
This would be a bold move for most democrats to support. Sorry to interrupt your dialogue with Chauncie, but Yes the traffic situation will be worse. I don’t know if you live on this island or have ever been to Na’wiliwili Harbor, but gridlocked is’nt even the beginning to describe what this area will become. If you live here, you would know that their is no more room to expand or build new roads. The roads we have is what we have. Their is no expansion possible to fit more cars. 300 million could have built alternative transportation on each island lessening traffic. Now we just have more traffic problems. I don’t see how Oahu residents felt the need to support this project, when they are suffering from Gridlocked traffic with no solution in plan by Lingle. This 300 million she twisted arms over could have built them an Island LightRail system. Which for a private business would be be more lucrative than an overpriced tourist ferry, that allows elitist Travelers to take their “very own” car with them, that they just could’nt do without.
My own 2 cents.
its not the locals or off island people who’d be using rental cars.
its the mainland people that’d rent cars.
AXLE:
The reason homeless would come to kauai is because Oahu is NOW cracking down on homeless people and shoo them away. Kauai is more laid back. Thats why’d they’d come here because police dont really do anyhting about them.
and this is for everyone.
it doesnt matter if people wont just get up and think about coming to kauai with their cars by superferry. the thing is that there are people who WILL come to kauai with their cars. And If you add more cars it IS causing more traffic.
CHAUNCIE:
The SF would not affect traffic because it would be the interisland local traveller who instead of renting a car may choose to drive their own car. Therefore, the neighbor island visitor’s own car would replace the rental that he/she would have rented if they flew in. Simple.
This in regards to Population growth. You ask is there a relation to the superferry. Not at the moment. What I am stating is that our island of kauai is growing with more people coming from the mainland and from other places around the globe, deciding to make kauai a permanent home. In 20 some odd years Kauai’s population has grown putting a strain on affordable housing, traffic, refuse, and the environment.
Will the Superferry have an impact to our already congested highways? YES
Will the Superferry have an impact to the commerical and residential congestion on our island? YES people will see this as a cheaper way to move from Oahu or the other islands. Contractors from Oahu will be able to bring their trucks to Kauai and do construction jobs adding more traffic to the island.
I have nothing against new businesses being established on kauai. but if there is direct relationship to the already exsisting problems, we need to address them and develop solutions to curve the on slaught.
Are we going to let the Superferry turn a National Marine Sanctuary into a Superhighway?
Concerned Kauaian,
I don’t doubt that SuperFerry would cause more traffic. What I’m saying is that perhaps this increase wouldn’t be as large as people think it might.
As far as utilizing it to relocate. most people would have too many things to move for SF to be economical.
For contractors, this would be good. In the past, I have had to travel to Maui and Kauai for work. Just a few hours of things that I feel should have been able to be done locally on the island. Nevertheless, they call me, pay for my plane fare, car rental, and hotel if I need to stay there. The unfortunate part is if I need to bring parts.
Just so you know… I don’t doubt that your concerns are valid. I just think that there could be things that are beneficial to both Kauai and Maui.
Tay Sahai
- The equation is simple.
1. Tourists will not increase or decrease.
2. Rental cars for tourists will not increase or decrease
3. Hawaiian resident tourists will increase w/ their cars
#1 & 2 staying the same, yes, more Hawaii residents may bring their cars with them. However, I don’t think people will take trips just because it is available. I did a price check for a typical family of 4(2 adults 2 children). Minimal vehicle charge during the cheapest time of the week.
Total price: $565.43
This is for 2 weekdays (cheaper) without hotel. I doubt may people would go for the heck of it. I sure wouldn’t want to add a car rental to that too. For the difference in price, I might consider it just for the convenience of how much luggage I would be hauling around. Just something to think about.
I do think the outer islands are beautiful and would like them to stay that way. If visitors (local and non-local) are respectful of that, I don’t see why it can’t stay that way. I try to teach my kids to leave wherever we go better than when we got there. Respect other’s property and be courteous.
Sorry I got off track. I appreciate your .02 and thank you for listening to mine.
The supporters of the SF who “just want to visit ‘ohana” and don’t understand what all the protesting is about are forgetting 1 important thing:
The door will now be open to all of those who are NOT just coming to visit family. Unfortunately, the risk is just too big. We simply cannot afford to let the criminal population hop on the ferry with their cars,vans/trucks and invade our small laid-back communities with our keiki running in the yard, and our doors unlocked.
Life on Oahu is like life in any big city…but we don’t live that way here. We will be such easy targets!
Before you jump on the SF bandwagon, ask a couple questions.
How many registered pediphiles are living on Oahu?
How many people/kids are raped per month?
I know you “Just want to visit family” BUT THE PRICE IS JUST TOO HIGH TO PAY.
to- concerned kauai’an
contractors will be able to ship their trucks cheaper by Matson lines, than the Superferry… i hate to interrupt a negative statement about the superferry… but you are quite wrong about the Superferry increasing the amt. of shipping of cars. It will not have any impact on that whatsoever.
to- Axle.. the main point you are missing is the impact of traffic at the designated port of the Superferry. On my island of Kauai, that will be Na’wilili Harbor. A two lane road. one going. one leaving. Their is no extra parking anywhere in the vicinity.. their is no extra room to enlarge the road. Their is already traffic in this area from Cruise Lines, Surfers, Beachgoers, Hotel and Na’wiliwili Store Customers, residents, and people using the harbor. Yet the Superferry claims unloading up to 200 cars in an hour will have no impact on Traffic?
Let us the compare the airport w/ Nawiliwili Harbor. The airport maintains a decent traffic schedule, by shuttles, the public bus, a huge parking area only to be used by airport business, a well thought out and executed traffic plan in roads, detours, one ways, roundabouts, etc. etc. Traffic Cops, etc. etc. How will the Superferry just pull in Na’wiliwili, a PUBLIC beach and waterfront area, residential area, resident boat recreation area, and not affect traffic? I have no explanation, but if you insist on arguing with everybody, please explain how the Superferry will unload all these cars and not affect traffic in Na’wiliwili. It seems that they want to begin the business without an EIS, because an EIS would demand that they prepare the same traffic guidelines as the airport. And who will pay for the traffic cops, the new bus routes, shuttles, improved parking and parking meters? WEll now.. the Taxpayers of course! Let’s just imagine this is your money, and it does’nt grow on trees, be more conservative.
Axle:
but if you think about it, most inter island travlers dont rent cars anyway. They know people here and usually have friends pick them up.
My friends work at Hertz and most the people that rent are not from inter island, but the mainland.
I could find out from other rent-a-car companies also, if you want me to.
Chauncie:
Feel free to ask the other car rental companies. You’ll find that each services a different type of market. I believe Hertz clientele are majority corporate clients and corporate clients on vacation. So, I wouldn’t expect to find many interisland travelers there. You might check with Budget, Alamo…maybe Dollar and Avis instead.
The folks that fly into the island for short business trips will still fly in and pick up their rental car for the day. Why? Because they don’t have the time to spend on the SF.
The families that vacation on the island are likely to take the SF, and bring their car along instead of picking up a rental car. They’re likely to be on the island longer and can save some (car rental) money.
AND, you’re making an assumption that interisland visitors know someone and get picked up. That sounds like students coming home for summer break.
We cannot hold the Super Ferry for all of this mess. The government officials who allowed this to go through, even though the people spoke out against it, are very much to blame. Not only for the S.F. but all the other problems as well. They have no respect for the people they are supposed to be serving. When will it ever end? Maybe once the Island is turned into Disney land and there are no more locals living here to complain, they all moved to Vegas and said the Hell with it? ITS ALL ABOUT THE MIGHTY DOLLAR
Chauncie on September 17, 2007 11:26 pm Axle:
but if you think about it, most inter island travlers dont rent cars anyway. They know people here and usually have friends pick them up.
My friends work at Hertz and most the people that rent are not from inter island, but the mainland.
I could find out from other rent-a-car companies also, if you want me to.
Chauncie,
Sorry to butt into your conversation. I just wanted to mention that when my friend and I last went to Kauai, we stayed with his Grandmother. We rented a car knowing we could use their truck. We did not want to inconvinience them if they in fact needed to go somewhere. When we used their truck, we left our car so they wouldn’t be stuck at home.
Kona,
“We simply cannot afford to let the criminal population hop on the ferry with their cars,vans/trucks and invade our small laid-back communities with our keiki running in the yard, and our doors unlocked.”
But if they come by other means it’s okay?
“Before you jump on the SF bandwagon, ask a couple questions.
How many registered pediphiles are living on Oahu?
How many people/kids are raped per month?”
Sounds like the outer islands have no social issues. Just Oahu?
“I know you “Just want to visit family” BUT THE PRICE IS JUST TOO HIGH TO PAY.”
Which price is too high to pay? I’m all for maintaining your comfortable lifestyle. I’d like to see the beauty of the outer islands when I go to visit. I also believe in giving people a chance before coming to any judgement.
Axle:
i dont think its JUST students coming home for summer break.
Families usually travel because they want to visit other family members, theres a celebration going on, or they just need a vacation.
They’d either rent or bring their own car.
And either way it’ll create more traffic since they arent FROM here and theyre BRINGING another car.
Even just one car adds to the bad traffic we have.
I dont really care if the increase in traffic is as large or as small as pepople think. The fact is that there will be an increase either way.
When the government or whoever starts making MORE roads for people to travel on, then we’ll talk.. Because sitting in traffic through Puhi, or through Wailua-Kapaa, and even going to the westside is RIDICULOUS!
I sum up the problem with the irrational arguments presented against Super Ferry to two words.
xe·no·pho·bia
Function: noun
: fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign
para·noia
Function: noun
1 : a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
2 : a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
Kamaaina:
Its alright.
I was just trying to state my opinion that some people might rent, and some might not. But either way, I still believe that there will be more traffic =]
Kimo:
I totally agree.
I heard some locals talking about moving to molokai if this place was gonna get turned into a city and there was going to be bad traffic.
It seems noone is looking at the end of the protests.. only the means. If any truth is to come out of this Superferry business, it needs to be put to vote. Some newspapers claim their are more superferry supporters than non supporters and vice versa. All this is controversial and unprovable. Put the issue to vote already! Island by island.. the million or so on Oahu would far cloud the opinion of Kauai with a population estimated at 60,000.
Aloha,
Well not really as the folks on Kauai don’t know what that means! You have made your feelings know… so please allow us to do the same. Its not about an EA or EIS you want to stop the ferry no matter what an will do or say anything to make that happen. Fiiiiiine. The next time there’s an earthquake or hurricane don’t bother calling Oahu and you are not welcome here anymore either.
Also we’ve let it be know on the travel agent network that visitors are no longer welcome there so don’t plan on very many tourists anymore. The low life loud mouth malcontents and professional protesters are EXACTLY what is wrong with Hawaii today. The behavior of the radicals at the meeting last week says it all!
Good luck… you are gonna need it.
Tom & Shari
Oahu, Hawaii
Chauncie:
In response to your post on Sept. 18th…
You said: “Families usually travel because they want to visit other family members, theres a celebration going on, or they just need a vacation.
They’d either rent or bring their own car.”
That’s right. They’d either rent OR bring their own car. Not both. So either way, it’s one more car on the road.
Furthermore, they’re not traveling because of the SF, they’re traveling to visit family. They’d travel whether there was a SF or not. So, SF is a non-factor.
Logic ftw.
It is not the same thing. When you rent a car, you can’t load it up (with stolen goods, or natural resources) and take it back to Oahu. And don’t even bother to tell us that YOU wouldn’t do that. It CAN and WILL be done. If you fly, you go through a screening process plus pay for extra weight.
On many blogs from Ohau, people admitted that on the first ferry ride, they drove on with dirty cars and NO ONE even looked at them, let alone looked in the trunk!! THE SF DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE OUTER ISLANDS. Just GREED GREED GREED. Check out Islandbreath for the truth.
I sum up the problem with the irrational arguments presented against Super Ferry to two words.
xe·no·pho·bia
Function: noun
: fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign
para·noia
Function: noun
1 : a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
2 : a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
In response to Konas post:
Stopping the SF, does not stop or prevent the stolen goods or natural resources from being shipped from Island to Island. The people who would do this will just rent containers.
As for dirty cars, I would like to see the SF use at least the same measures and standards that YB uses when they ship cars from Island to Island. YB ships hundreds if not thousands of cars each month between the Islands.
Companies are here providing their services so that someone can make a profit, and maybe provide jobs. The statement about greed can be made about any company operating in Hawaii. And, just because you said it, doesn’t make it true.
Oh, I get it…but if YOU say it, it’s true. GMAB
Yes, the Superferry will profit….But Kaua’i will pay.
(I wonder, just how much does it cost to ship tons of rocks like the ones superferry riders just loaded up in their trucks in Mauai FOR FREE)???
On the VERY FIRST time the SF sailed yet!!
Your argumeent is very weak to say the least.
SINK DA BOAT!!!!
The Star Bulletin poll results are interesting. I like that they break out results by county. It looks like slight majorities generally favor the Superferry, and pro-superferry answers tend to outnumber anti-superferry answers by fairly wide margins in some cases. Obviously it is a multi-faceted issue - not a 2-sided, pro or con, one. And for that reason it’s interesting to dig through the results. One thing is clear, there’s enough difference of opinion that anyone who claims their side represents “all of Kauai” is full of beans.
eff the ferry.
it isnt event worth it.
it shouldnt even come to kauai.
people shouldnt take stuff from here.
people who are for it should go take the ferry to the next island and stay there.
goodness
Kona wrote:
Oh, I get it…but if YOU say it, it’s true. GMAB
Yes, the Superferry will profit….But Kaua’i will pay.
(I wonder, just how much does it cost to ship tons of rocks like the ones superferry riders just loaded up in their trucks in Mauai FOR FREE)???
On the VERY FIRST time the SF sailed yet!!
Your argumeent is very weak to say the least.
SINK DA BOAT!!!!
—–
Apparently, you’ve never rented a container from YB? It’s been a while since I’ve rented one, but it’s cheaper than paying for 3 vehicles on the SF at regular price.
And, what makes you think the SF will let trucks full of rocks board? Gimme a break
Article about a meth drug ring in the HA writes:
“The Kaua’i cartel shipped crystal methamphetamine from the Philippines through the U.S. mail and with human couriers who taped the drugs to the inside of their thighs and boarded commercial flights bound for O’ahu, officials said.”
Just an example of how drugs are brought into Kauai.
A person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still.
It is clear no matter what the talk on the street, the action to watch is going to shift to the Federal Government (Inouye) and the steam roller will bring it home. He has too much at stake to see the SF fail. Lingle will lead a jingle with the legislature but Inouye is in the wings waiting.
The Hawaii Supreme Court unanimously ruled: The Governor and DOT were wrong and made a mistake, AND the Maui judge ruled that the law is clear, that an EA SHALL be completed before the ferry sails.
SO WHAT DOES “THE FERRY GODMOTHER” DO!!! She brazenly goes on the news saying she will CHANGE the law so the SF can sail (WITH NO RESTRICTIONS) I MIGHT ADD!!! Now the legislature is telling her they will not change the law without compromise and input from the islands most likely to get hurt by the SF.
Now I see in all the media there is an action to IMPEACH LINGLE. Well, NO WONDER!!! The gov is out of control in her efforts to back a private, for profit business, over the environmental concerns of all branches of government, AND THE PEOPLE!!
The ferry godmother does not care about Hawaii, impeach her.
Quite frankly I think the benefits of the Superferry far outweigh the possible loss of a few whales. Sorry whales!
Star bulletin polls.. wow. Give me a break. Next people will start referencing the superferry’s CEO’s submissions to the Wikipedia as fact.
Curious to know how many politicians have shares in this corporation. Besides Say’s son’s trophy job, their is much more in the soup pot than this.
I would also like to point out that this was’nt an island rivalry issue, until the newspapers and Lingle made it into one. Who is showing the aloha now.
Why a special session now? Why not when the teachers went on strike? When the nurses went on strike? When the Ala Wai canal had the millions of raw sewage spill? When the Ala Wai & Keehi harbors became worse than an eyesore? When traffice went from bad to ridiculous on Oahu?
Why not for all these people & places in our Hawaii where we live, work & play but “Yes” to these deep pocket,selfish & shallow greedy people from someplace else?
From our Governor to our senators & representatives, it is amazing how you have sold out Hawaii for money. Shame, dishonor, disgrace are words that will forever be tied to your names. And your children’s names. And your children’s children. It will be written in history and will be there for all to see.
I am totally against the superferry for so many reasons, all of which have been presented. I am extremely disappointed in our “absentee mayor”. What a coward he has been. I also feel strongly that the Governor should be recalled. She has, and continues, to cost hwawii’s residents millions of dollars. Her acts regarding the superferry are illegal and immoral. She has polarized the islands and continues to be the voice of the superferry, not of the people. The damage she has caused is horrific. Someone should check her bank accounts…
Kauai is the last “country” feeling left for all of us to enjoy! The superferry can not make enough in revenue to ever stay in service without military involvement. Hawaii has been conquered once again by the World leaders. Hawaii now exists as a military state and will soon be under marshal law, I’m sure. Have you tried to walk the beach at Polihale? Military personel guard it and threatens you with arrest! Welcome to the new Kauai! I’m sure the tourists will really love it now! Aloha spirit is real in love and in anger! It’s alive and well in all who feel it!
The superferry requires 6500 gallons of diesel fuel per trip! We are not smart business people if we allow our businesses to depend on foreign resources. Maybe Bush/Lehman/Lingle want to teach us a really good lesson here! Be sure to take good notes and listen to what is “being” in our lifetimes NOW. Who has that much fuel to get rid of?? It’s something to ponder!
It would be excellent if planes didn’t use diesel fual. And what if the cruise ships and barges and other shipping vessels didn’t use fosil fuels. What if, instead, we revive the sugar cane growing in the entire state, (produce solar, wind and other renewable power sources, stop using fossile fuel to generate electricity, etc., etc., etc.,)? Many people have learned that Brazil, ?, uses sugar cane to produce bio fuels for all? of their fuel? This fuel substitues for all or most(?) of their diesel engines. There is a kit that can be used to convert any engine to a biofuel engine What action is being taken to get on the right track. Could Superferry lead the way. What say you? Senior folks like us are the elders and find the superferry to be the only way to do a reduced-stress inter-island experience
aloha and mahalo nui loa for giving the opportunity to somehow make the superfery controversy into a catalyst for the big shift to bio fuels. How would we feel if Hawaii could lead the way, set the example for the much-needed shift away from fossil-fuel-dependence. Let us work together in harmony, with much, much aloha to you, forever!
Michael Bowles’ comments on Sept. 10th are exceptionally important and echo what we have been thinking. We were able to become Kauai residents in ‘05 and feel so fortunate. Can we just all try to increase the spirit of aloha? Would a monorail be of any practical value, assuming that the Miami project could be improved upon with small shuttle hook-ups to move people to their destinations. You look at the Syney, Australia projects, also, and you’ll see that the traffic solutions with use of monorail and other adjunctive public transit have worked beautifully. Dress the monorails up with swaying palm trees and you would see a lovely way to decrease traffic congestion. One of the ways to transport yourself once you depart the monorail, by the way is the Chrysler electric vehicle resembling a golf cart, something which Palm Desert, Ca. (?) has recently adopted for street legal transportation. We first saw this cute little vehicle in wide-spread use in eywest, Fla. There is a dealer on Oahu who sells this. How about it Kauai and all y’all!? Aloha!
Am trying to figure Bettie Tollett out when she talks about about a military state. For the love of poi and crumb cake!