The new Inter island Super Ferry will increase the risk of introduction of new pests. It will facilitate the rapid dispersal to other islands of new threatening pests like the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, which now is only present on Oahu.

Perhaps more importantly, it will act as a very efficient means of distribution for undesirable species.  Campers, hunters, etc. will now be able to go everywhere say, on the Big Island, and then in a matter of hours be able to drive those same vehicles on every back road on Maui. 

It has already been proven that Coqui frog eggs can travel in mud splashed up underneath vehicles. 

The Big Island has over 20,000 acres infested with Miconia (“The Green Cancer”) Each Miconia flower produces 1 million seeds. These seeds may easily picked up by camper or hunter vehicles and transported to Maui – then dropped out of the vehicles everywhere they go in Maui. 

The Inter-island Super Ferry ratchets up the alien species threat to a new level – perhaps undermining all the good work done by DOA, DLNR, Fish and Wildlife, and organizations like the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), to combat the spread of invasive species.

Persons involved in the dangerous illegal pet trade will find it much easier to move snakes and reptiles, and other creatures which could be devastating to Maui’s native ecosystem from island to island. Will there be inspectors on duty looking for this?

Government moves to regulate ballast water