Let’s find a compromise on Hawaii Superferry (aka bend over, neighbor isles)
The debate and discussion
about the Hawaii Superferry has invigorated Is
that a politician's way of saying "pissed off"? the
public. Supporters and opponents both feel their positions are
correct. If there is such a thing as compromise on this matter, Of
course there is: HSF does an EIS and mitigates all concerns,
and then they can operate. If
I'm not mistaken, the compromise is that we don't bitch about DOT
paying for something (EA/EIS) HSF should be paying for. I
offer the following ideas for discussion in order to allow the
Superferry to operate while an environmental assessment is being
completed. Well
then, I'll address right here specific issues that are of interest to
me.
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Much has already been done about invasive species. Really?
Does anyone know what's been done? I
would add that vehicles have their undersides washed before boarding.
If a drainage and catchment system could be erected and installed
without significant delays, Who's
going to pay for this? this
would help in dealing with the transport of unwanted species attached
to vehicles. It is not fail-safe, but it would provide another step
to stop unwanted plants and seeds. Shouldn't
that have been instituted a long time ago? Folks have been
asking for that from the very beginning. It's kind of like
traffic in Maui. HSF said they were going to have all that
handled, but nothing was done until a judge forced them to do
it. (They really don't be a company that sticks to their
word.)
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Regarding traffic congestion around the harbor and port, the
Superferry can transport up to 280 small vehicles to the neighbor
islands and back. I suggest that no more than 125 vehicles be allowed
to be shipped at one time. HSF
has said they expect no more than 110 cars per voyage, and even that
was a major concern to many. Now you're giving them another 15
cars. Where have you been? This
could mean a reduction of at least 150 vehicles that would affect
traffic patterns and flow. Well,
here in Kawaihae, with just two lanes and no signals, even 125
vehicles is going to be difficult. Hell!
We were concerned with HSF's 110 estimation.
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Whale avoidance is important, and the whale avoidance policy of the
Superferry should be year-round while the environmental assessment is
being completed, not just from January through April. The Superferry
said that its speed would be reduced to 25 knots when it is in waters
of 100 fathoms or less. I recommend the speed be reduced to 20 knots
(about 23 mph) in these critical waters. Brah,
did ya read that NOAA says 13 knots or less? Have you read any
of the studies that have been done regarding vessel strikes and
whales? Maybe this is one of the major problems ~ OUR
LEGISLATORS HAVE NOT LISTENED TO WHAT'S GOING ON AND HAVE NOT DONE
THEIR RESEARCH!!!! This
will mean a little longer ferry ride, but it is a compromise all
users should support. Why?
Because you said so? Also,
if cost-effective, a smaller lead boat in front of the Superferry in
shallow waters during whale season will provide another set of eyes
closer to the water to protect our whales and other marine
life. Are
you aware that whales don't have a HSF-Avoidance policy? They
surface when they want. I don't believe they have scouts
swimming ahead of them to check for fast-moving vessels. And
the "scout boat" will have to travel at the same speed as
the ferry, so now you have two vessels close together going 7 knots
faster than recommended by NOAA. Why don't you just throw
a Ronco Veg-A-Matic in the water ~ “It slices! It dices! It
makes julienne fries! And now you can have sliced whale for
dinner!”
This
discussion is not about supporting big business, as some have
stated. Convince
me! It
is about utilizing our ocean resource and providing an alternate form
of transportation for our residents. Have
ya looked at the fares and schedules? Oh, wait. You're
on Oahu. In
times of emergency or natural disasters, the Superferry would be a
valuable asset. You
mean like last year's earthquake, which damaged Pier 1 at Kawaihae
Harbor to the extent that it forced DOT to change plans for HSF and
they now plan to build a brand new Pier 4 since Pier 1 couldn't be
used by HSF? Environmental
issues are important and must be addressed. However, UhOh! if the Superferry is forced to abandon Hawaii, it will be a setback
for the environmental movement in our state HOW???? and,
of course, it would be a major loss for our residents. WHY????
Now
is the time to work together to find a solution that will allow the
Superferry to operate while an EA is being done. Seems
to me OVER TWO YEARS AGO would've been a better time. In fact,
it wasn't long ago when a compromise was made but the House wouldn't
even let the compromise be heard. But now, with the State
Supreme Court, the Maui Circuit Court, and Gary Gill, former director
of the state agency that oversees compliance with Hawaii's
environmental review law having said that, at the very least, an EA
should be done, I think our legislators should do the
responsible thing and let the Court's ruling stand. It's for
the good of the State. The
cost of a special session would be less expensive than paying
unemployment benefits to the Superferry employees. Give
me a break! How many of those were full-time employees with
benefits? Just how much could unemployment cost? Oh, and
by the way ~ What do you think the cost will be to try (and I say TRY
because I think this will be like trying to put toothpaste back
into the tube) to address the many problems that HSF could cause.
Did you read Judge Cardoza's words? He said, "there is a
real possibility of irreparable damage to the environment, to the way
of life in this community" if the vessel sails before the study
is done. With
millions already invested by the state and the Superferry Why
didn't you guys do your homework before giving our money away? ,
allowing the ferry to operate under certain conditions while an EA is
being completed makes sense. Oh
no it doesn't!!!!
State
lawmakers have passed legislation to address judicial decisions in
the past. Have
they rushed these decisions through without doing any kind of
research or listening to their constituents? Constitutional
amendments approved by voters O.K.
So let the voters approve any amendments to our environmental
laws also
have changed judicial opinions. Moreover, the Superferry will still
have to address the findings from the environmental assessment when
it is completed and presented to the public. Dude,
do you know what kind of damage that thing can do in the
meantime?
Will
Espero, a Democrat, represents the Ewa-Honouliuli-Ewa Beach area in
the state Senate.