Honolulu, HI

I read in the paper that Hawaiian Air just increased their airfare and American Airlines is now going to start charging for any checked in luggage. Yes… including the first bag.

I thought things got bad when we started to not have meals during the red-eye flights to the mainland. Things got worse when they brought back the food and made it an option to purchase charging about $10 for it. (more…)

Making Hawaii a more walkable and bikeable community is definitely going to take a lot of effort. The Honolulu Advertiser just ran a three day special series written by Rob Perez, Advertiser Staff Writer, covering pedestrian traffic safety issues – a hot topic on the table of many of Hawaii’s government agencies. (more…)

It’s no secret that Hawaii drivers are married to their cars. But with gas prices hitting $4.00 / gallon on the mainland (and Hawaii close behind) is it time that the streets of Hawaii can be cleared out as we look for other means of transportation? Is it even possible that people will somehow leave the comfort of their cars? I’m not so sure.

For instance, the other day, I had lunch with my brother. I drove from Pearl City to Ala Moana Shopping Center and from the looks of it, there didn’t seem to be any significant difference in the amount of traffic – Lunalilo Freeway was still busy at 11:45 am. This was the rolling kind of busy. You know the kind where there are a lot of cars around but you’re still moving at a decent rate. (more…)

The closing of Aloha Airlines represents a marked change in the face of Hawaii’s airline industry. Whoa! That basically leaves Hawaiian Airlines and competing go! Airlines as our two options air travel in the islands. Ummm… I’ll take Hawaiian Air! (more…)

I’m just glad to see that Hawaii lawmakers are not going to let this opportunity for a new business fall to the wayside. One of the biggest changes in the “>Hawaii Superferry saga would allow the Superferry to continue operating in the islands while an environmental review was being conducted.

The restrictions are as such. They would have to give “unconditional acceptance” to operating restrictions that would be placed on them. The goal of the restrictions would be to protect the whales and prevent the spread of invasive species on the neighbor islands. This is still a potential option and it needs to be approved as of yet, but at least that’s better news that the “shut-out” treatment they got last week. (more…)

The Hawaii Superferry just laid off 249 of its crew members last week in response to the decision that it would not be able to operate until an environmental assessment has been completed.

If you’ve read the timeline of the Hawaii Superferry, then you’ve noticed a trend where lawmakers and judges alike have favored this business in the previous years. Just where is the love now? It seems that the Hawaii Superferry is being shafted left and right!

Judge Cardoza is the same judge who only last year threw out a case that environmental groups were making against the Hawaii Superferry. Just last week, when it seemed that the only difference between then and now is that the Hawaii Superferry is now open for business, this same Judge says that the Hawaii Superferry has to obey environmental laws. Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I don’t think Chapter 343 changed much within the last year. (more…)

Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza ruled that the Hawaii Superferry would not be allowed to operate until an environmental assessment has been completed. Keep in mind that it could take months to complete these assessments. Based on Chapter 343 of the State’s environmental law, an environmental assessment is required.

To add to that, the operating agreement between the Hawaii Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Superferry is invalid and as a result, the vessel cannot use port facilities statewide. Ouch!

Superferry president and CEO John Garibaldi issued the following statement regarding the Maui court ruling today:
“Obviously, we are disappointed. While the ruling is a loss for Hawaii Superferry and our employees, it is a greater loss for the state of Hawaii.” (more…)

With Hawaii Superferry losing more than $650,000 per week you would think that they would hurry it up a bit. But I guess you can’t rush decisions like this, can you?

Forget the fact that a local business is reportedly getting deeper in debt daily and may consider leaving the islands.

Forget the fact that the monopoly on inter-island cargo carriers will resume should the Hawaii Superferry leaves.

Forget that 90% of 300 workers will get laid off if the boat is tied up for the environmental assessment. Just think of all those people who left jobs to support the ferry. (more…)

Here’s the low down on the Superferry’s new policy on “whale avoidance”.

Vessel Design:
1. Vessels have hulls the minimize the area that can strike whales
2. Vessels use water-jet propulsion; not propellers to eliminate cutting whales
3. Vessels have the ability to turn, slow and stop quickly to avoid marine mammals

Operations during Whale Season:
1. Avoid waters less than 600 feet deep when possible
2. Slow speed of boat to 25 knots or less in that depth
3. Take routes that avoid whale-dense areas

Staff and Equipment:
1. Two dedicated whale lookouts in addition to bridge crew
2. Image-stabilized binoculars, laser range/bearing finders, night-vision systems, front-facing cameras on each hull

Maneuver Procedures:
1. Actively seek and identify whales ahead of the vessel
2. If a whale is sighted within 500 meters, change course until the minimum distance of 500 meters is kept
3. If whale appears suddenly in the path of vessel, execute emergency maneuvers to avoid whales while considering vessel and passenger safety

With all this in place, people are still saying that this is not enough to ensure that whales will not be hit during operation. As it stands, during the past whale season, there were six vessel-whale collisions from other vessels that run during “whale watching” season. The fisheries recommend slowing the vessels to 13 knots. Additionally, the Department of Transportation has research that shows that whales hit by boats at 17 knots are 90% fatal.

Some of the prime areas that you can spot whales in the islands are on the south east shores of Oahu and on the south shores of Maui. Apparently, Hawaii is a calving ground for humpback whales. As a result, juvenile and whale calves are more likely to get hit because they spend a lot of time at the surface of the water.

This is a great first step by the Superferry to protect the whales, however, it is by no means the end. There’s still the people factor involved. They’ll have to train their teams to be involved in the process and that can take time despite any policy created.

Photos courtesy of NOAA via pingnews.

Hawaii superferry, whale avoidance policy, whale watching season, oahu, maui

The Hawaii Superferry is still making the news daily.

Check out this clip on YouTube concerning the impact on humpback whales. Makes you think twice about why an EIS statement is NOT deemed necessary. Is/was this an oversight?

Hawaii superferry, humpback whales, YouTube

Businesses and non-profit agencies make a good combination! Starting today through September 14, 2007, go! Airlines will contribute $1 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Hawaii for every roundtrip purchased. Travel must be between August 31, 2007 and September 14, 2007 in order to qualify.

go! Airlines, the originator of cheap inter-island travel, is doing its part in raising MDA awareness here in Hawaii. “We are glad to contribute to our community’s efforts in raising awareness of the many ailments known as muscular dystrophy,” said Jonathan Ornstein, MESA Air Group Chairman and CEO.

Corporate giving is on the rise averaging an increase of 4.7% for top companies. There’s even a study done in 2006 attempting to link increased profits and corporate giving. The study suggests that businesses selling consumer products since they already advertise to the general public. In addition, businesses have an opportunity to use a “back door” approach to sales. By advertising the donations, they can ultimately see an increase in their revenues.

Is this really the cause of revenue increase? I really don’t think anybody knows. Honestly, how can you really prove something like that? However, I think what should matter most is that somehow businesses are getting involved in aiding community causes. We are seeing businesses commonly taking on more social responsibility and that’s a good thing. We should probably just leave it at that.

go airlines, muscular dystrophy association Hawaii, mda Hawaii, mesa air group, corporate giving, Hawaii

Just about everyday this week, the Hawaii Superferry has been in the news. Monday’s first voyage to Kauai was met with delays as people paddled or swam out to meet the ferry as it entered Nawiliwili Harbor. The intent was to create a blockade of people and prevent the Superferry from docking in the harbor. Well, the people won and ultimately the ferry sailed back to Honolulu after many hours in limbo. The Coastguard even got involved with this one.

Just what is the deal? Local environmental groups have sued the state to require an environmental impact statement (EIS) that was previously deemed not necessary by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT). In an earlier article, the Honolulu Advertiser reported that the Hawaii Superferry must comply with conducting a reduced version of the EIS, but that they could continue business as usual. So they did. The Superferry set sail on Monday to Kauai only to be met by aggravated environmental supporters. The Honolulu Advertiser published a photo of a woman holding a sign that read, “Stupid Ferry Stupid Riders” (this woman was on Maui – another sail stop).

As you can guess, the Hawaii Superferry has ceased operations and meetings have ensued to discuss future island activities.

From the environmentalist’s point of the view, some of the top concerns are:
1. Ferry would endanger humpback whales and other marine species
2. Risk the spread of invasive species
3. Impede recreational use of the harbor
4. Harm fishing
5. Harm other Native Hawaiian subsistence resources as people bring their own vehicles onto the islands

On top of that, the Hawaii Superferry’s business actions have been questioned. The $5 fares and setting sail ahead of time was viewed as an act of bad faith and the implication was that they should have waited until the assessment was completed.

You know after reading all of this, I’m horrified at the responses being given. I understand why island locals are feeling the way they do, but at the same time, couldn’t they have done it another way? The idea of someone diving in the water to be a part of a human blockade is scary to see the lengths that people will go to get their point across. At the same time, shouldn’t the Hawaii Superferry have foreseen potential issues and taken the proper precautions as an act of good faith?

Meanwhile this is all being rectified in court and the rest of us are stuck in the middle awaiting the final outcome. What do you think about this?

Hawaii superferry, environmental impact statement, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Kauai, Nawiliwili Harbor, Honolulu Advertiser