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SuperFerry EIS still a quandry

Superferry EIS begins amid continued concerns.

The Hawaii Superferry has been in dry dock being repaired for its service in Maui. This week the Alikai finally sailed , a week or so ahead of schedule, to Maui with 100 passengers and some vehicles. Meanwhie, a couple of weeks ago about 60 local residents showed up for the first of two three-hour informational meeting at the KCC Performing arts center to meet with representatives from Belt Collins Hawaii and the state DOT. The session was part of statewide effort that ended on March 31 on Lana`i to set the scope of the EIS that officials hope to finalize by May 2009.

A date for resumption of the Superferry's service to Kaua`i is still pending. The company has attempted to continue its daily trips to Maui, but was delayed by court action, docked by bad weather, and grounded by damage to the vessel. Yikes! The public will have another opportunity to provide input after the draft EIS is published, which is expected by this October. There is one final 45-day commment period.
The scope of the EIS will include air quality, cultural resources, marine resources, parks and recreation, public facilities and services, socioeconomics, terrestrial resources (agriculture and invasive species), traffic and circulation and travel.

Most of the ongoing press about the Superferry has not been positive so it doesn't seem like the Superferry will be traveling to Kauai any time soon. However, since the loss of Aloha Airlines, people are reminded again of the need for more than one mode of transportation between islands.
4 comments • Ronnie Margolis, Kauai Realtor®, CDPE, ABR, RA - On Top of the Aloha Beat • April 11 2008 12:35AM

Comments

Uh, Ok I want to know a little more, I'm not much of and Island guy but I try to keep up on things, What is the SuperFerry?
Posted by Michael I. Pulskamp REALTOR®, EcoBroker®, GREEN desingnee (Mainstreet Brokers) about 1 year ago

Wow, where to begin. The Hawaii Superferry was introduced several years ago as a cost effective method of transportation between the various Hawaiian Islands. Supposedly Hawaii is the only island archipelago in the world to not have an alternative to air travel. A company was founded and the mission began. There was been a lot of opposition to this superferry from the neighboring islands for many different areas of concern:

Invasive species, crime, diseases, damage to the environment ( whales and dolphins) and such, to name a few. Check out the company's offerings at www.hawaiisuperferry.com

Then, if you are interested in some counterpoint, read about some of the controversy at these websites:

Superferry Impact

Boycott Hawaii Superferry

The anti-SuperFerry content is a bit radical i admit, however, as someone who is open to the Superferry, i find some of the concerns quite legitimate. Right now the ferry has resumed service to Maui, but not yet to Kauai, where the boycotting seemed to really sour the efforts of the company.

See what you think.

 

 

Posted by Ronnie Margolis, Kauai Realtor®, CDPE, ABR, RA - On Top of the Aloha Beat (Hawaii Life Real Estate Services, LLC ) about 1 year ago

Aloha Ronnie,

Thanks for the post. The super ferry is a rather divisive topic for Kauai and Maui, unfortunately.

Peace,

 

Posted by Kimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser (JDS Consulting: Hawaii Home Staging and Decor Design) about 1 year ago
It certainly is controversial i agree. I think its good to have the alternative. It just needs to be properly managed and with sensitivity to the environment.
Posted by Anonymous about 1 year ago

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