The superferry that was expected to make a major difference to transportation between the Hawaiian Islands made its maiden voyage on August 26, but today, the $85 million boat sits idle in the harbor.
The Alakai has been prevented by court order from sailing to Maui and by protesters from going to Kauai according to a report in the NY Times. A citizens group there was preparing to ask a judge for a similar order. The group’s lead lawyer,, Daniel Hempey said the law requires the Superferry to prove it’s safe before it can ply between the islands.
The ferry controversy revolves around whether the project should have been subject to an environmental assessment before the operator, Hawaii Superferry Inc., put it into service.
If an assessment found that the ferry could damage the islands’ flora and fauna, an environmental impact statement would be required, which would mean scientific studies, public hearings and the possibility of legal challenges the report went on to say.
The Alakai dispute which has grabbed headlines in Hawaii, is also about the changing nature of life there and the impact of powerful economic interests.
Ira Rohter, a professor of political science at the University of Hawaii said that while locals are for the ferry they feel they need more say in how it will affect their lives. “Hawaii used to be a special place, and now it looks more and more like California,” she said.
Hawaii Superferry’s chief executive, John L. Garibaldi said that state officials told him there was no need for an environmental assessment when he started the project five years ago, a position that was upheld by two court rulings.
Report by Chitra Mogul
