Hawaii Superferry Trouble

Posted by Jennifer W. Miner Sep 2, 2007

Last month, I was happy to write an article about the inauguration of a new ferry service in Hawaii, the Hawaii Superferry. Well, I go on vacation for a couple of weeks, and what happens? The whole thing blows up.

Environmentalists, surfers, and random beach dudes protested the Hawaii Superferry's arrival at the Nawiliwili Harbor in Kauai, causing it to actually turn around and head back to Honolulu. This happened on August 28, and the next day, a state judge denied a request to lift a temporary restraining order barring the Superferry from using the Kahului Harbor ferry terminal in Maui. The ban will be in place until an environmental impact assessment is done. The Kahului Harbor Coalition, Maui Tomorrow, and the local chapter of the Sierra Club are concerned that the Hawaii Superferry endangers whales, worsens pollution and helps spread invasive species.

Now, this passenger and car ferry service is done on a catamaran, with no exposed propellers or ballast water needed - reducing potential damage to migrating marine mammals and Hawaii's delicate micro-ecosystems. Every day, many larger boats and yachts dock in the island chain's harbors: It's unclear at this point exactly what the Hawaii Superferry is purported to do to the surrounding marine environment, that isn't being done on a much larger scale by cruise lines and such. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: The Hawaii Superferry Legal Woes