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?
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
Wow! I didn’t even know the UH Football team was doing the “haka” dance. Pause. Well, it’s over now. I guess the UH Men’s volleyball team was doing it as well? Wow.
Watch more video clips like these and actual dance clips on YouTube.
The Hawaii Superferry sure is getting a lot of press these days. Its inaugural sail which was reported to leave many feeling sea sick also brought about some environmental concerns. Now, I’m not too familiar with the whole process, but the concept of the Hawaii Superferry is not new. Right when they are just about to open for business, there are potential environmental issues that need to be addressed? Couldn’t they have been addressed sooner? Like maybe when they weren’t yet committed to transporting passengers?
An article in the Honolulu Advertiser this past Sunday reported that neighbor island passengers could be stranded potentially should environmentalists decide to set up a picket line. Bummer! Can you imagine being a passenger having to cross a picket line just because you’ve already paid for a fare? Does this label me as “non-environmentally friendly?” Really - I just want to take advantage of the $5 fare and I really do love the environment.
Anyway, here are some great photos on Flickr showing the Superferry. You can even view them in a slideshow format if you wish. The Superferry’s webpage has more professional shots taken (can you see the difference a lens makes? – amazing)
I’m personally excited about the Hawaii Superferry. Who wouldn’t be? You can essentially take you and your car to a neighbor island for the cost of an airline ticket. Besides, it’s a new thing. I do have one question though. Is my car insurance rate going to go up if I transport it on the ferry? Just wondering.
This was surely an eventful morning for my kids and me. They just finished making their breakfast when we heard it. Zzzzzt! Everything shut down - power outage. As many people do, I went outside to see what was going on. Like that’s going to tell me anything?!? Why do people do that anyway? After a few seconds of looking around, I went back into the house wondering if I forgot to pay my bill.
Meanwhile, my kids on the other hand, are grinning cheek to cheek. “Does this mean we don’t have school today?” Terror struck me! I have a deadline to meet today. There’s no way I’m going to make it if they stay at home. My kids begin to talk amongst each other planning their day at home. Cheerful chattering fills the room.
As a mom, I’ve got to take control of the situation! Super Mom! Yeah, that’s me. After all I owe it to them to not let their hopes get too high on this one. There’s no way they can stay home today.
Nervously, I search for the electric company’s hotline number. “Please let this not be about my bill!” Anxiety fills my heart. Okay, here’s the phone number. As I listen to the recording, I hear power outages are reported in my area! Yippee! I’m on cloud nine now. There really is an outage. Now I have to figure out what to do with the kids.
Slowly, I approach them and sit. “You know boys, sometimes schools have generators that keep the school running.” My older son quickly replies, “I don’t think our school has that.” I know by now that I’m bumming their trip. “Let’s just see what’s going on in school. We’ll drive by and if no one is there, we’ll leave.” Silence. They know exactly what that means. Slowly, they pick up their bags and head towards the car.
As we approach the school it seems as though it’s business as usual. My older son tells me that his classroom door isn’t open yet as a subtle way of saying that I’m not in the clear. As they get out of the car, I tell him that he can call me if the school shuts down. He mumbles, “yeah” and walks off without saying goodbye. Okay. He’s not happy. My younger son is oblivious to everything at this time. He can stay at home or be in school. He’s just happy to be doing something. Okay, at least he’s not mad. I’ll make it up to my older son tonight. We’re eating at Curry House for dinner - his favorite place.
Well, the power was back on within an hour – thank goodness HECO (Hawaiian Electric Company) was on it. I still don’t know what exactly happened, but at this point, it doesn’t matter because I’ll meet my deadline and the kids are in school. Problem solved. Life goes on despite power outages.
Yup! Today’s the day we celebrate being admitted as a State of the Union. How did we spend it? It’s was a holiday for some. Well, I worked today – it’s a holiday only for some employees. For the private sector folks, it’s a normal day in Hawaii. Happy Admissions Day Hawaii!
But I did find out the Dog the Bounty Hunter did not get released from his bond. It remains intact by a U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren. This was for capturing Andrew Luster in Mexico three years ago. I’d be kind of curious to find out why he wasn’t released. I also found out he wrote a book, “You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide.” Interesting…
I also did come across an article on the web saying that Hawaii was not really a state of the union. Also, interesting… I guess that’s something that could be pursued, but compared to Dog the Bounty Hunter’s story, Dog wins out.
Like I said Happy Admissions Day Hawaii!
Good news! Hurricane Flossie has been downgraded to a tropical storm. That brings relief for many residents and visitors alike. As I read through various articles and watched the evening news about the storm’s status, it got me thinking about the way we tend to react in situations like these. In Hawaii, hurricanes are a big deal!
Reading through an article on Flossie by USA Today, about a third of the post focused on businesses and the fact that they were able to keep stock on the shelves. Interesting… Items like toilet paper, bottled water, flash lights and batteries were in demand but they weren’t “flying out the window”. Businesses received a steady flow of customers, even higher than normal traffic but nothing outrageous.
What I started thinking about was that perhaps we are better prepared this time around to handle weather events like Hurricane Flossie. Maybe the days of “mad rushes” to the stores are over because on the whole, we know to be ready. That kind of gives me a warm, bubbly feeling all over.
Maybe a year or two ago (I don’t remember exactly when), there were rumors of a tsunami that was going to hit. At that time, Hawaii residents stormed stores to gather up the usual items including of course, spam. The general feeling back then was panic! Well it turned out to be a hoax. Nevertheless, that’s a big difference we’re seeing today dealing with Flossie.
I think it’s great that we’re ready and prepared for any storm. I know the media (newspaper and television) has done a great job instructing residents and visitors on what to do in the event Hurricane Flossie should hit. I’ve also seen them do a great job keeping us up to date on the storm’s status. Props to the media teams for a job well done!
Hawaiian Air’s story is amazing. Just several years ago, this company was filing Chapter 11 and today, they are leading their industry in airline performance.
A 2006 Airline Quality Rating (AQR) study ranked Hawaiian Air #1 out of a possible 18 airline carriers. The study included performance factors such as best on-time, fewest mishandled bags, denied boarding performance, and number of consumer complaints. Additionally, consumer surveys performed by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, and Zagat all ranked Hawaiian Air as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.
Mark Dunkerley, President and CEO, says “Our employees have earned Hawaiian this award by giving customers the kind of uniquely refreshing in-flight experience one would expect when flying Hawaii’s flagship carrier.”
Here’s another reason why Hawaiian Air continues to be a leader in their industry. They understand the need to improve a customer’s online experience. Not only do they master domestic air service, but they also hope to master the online customer experience as well.
Geoff Galat, Vice President of Marketing and Product Strategy, says “Hawaiian Airlines recognizes that, for today’s consumers, the online channel is an increasingly important method of making travel purchases.” The company is working with an online customer experience management, Tealeaf, Inc. to provide outstanding online customer service that Hawaiian Air has built a reputation for.
Stories like these are inspiring. It’s great to see a company believe in its leadership and their employees to make something like this happen! Props for Hawaiian Air! We’ll be sure to be on the lookout for good things from you!
About Honolulu, HI focuses on the people who make experiencing Hawaii better! Hawaii, with its exquisite beauty and charm, is an excellent place to visit and an excellent place to live. In this blog, you’ll find out about Hawaii local events, Hawaii’s great dining and shopping as well as the latest news about what’s going on in Hawaii, but you’ll also find that this Hawaii blog is a lot about the people that you’ll meet everyday. You’ll also find useful Hawaii resources for locals and visitors alike. Have fun and get to know Hawaii by getting to know the people of Hawaii!
Honolulu, HI Author(s)
» Coreen-Nishijo
» Coreen-Nishijo
