Superferry Navigates Tough Legislative Waters

Looks like it's gonna take a bit...

By Tina Shelton

The superferry must weather some more rough seas before it launches service this July. The waters got stirred up Tuesday at the State Legislature. Neighbor island lawmakers who oppose the inter-island ferry made good on a promise to try to force environmental impact statements before motorists can drive onboard the ferry.
The work at Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 19 is on schedule;
The vessel now floats off an Alabama shipyard.
But the legislature's not on board.
“The neighbor island communities have a concern about the people coming with their vehicles, about traffic congestion,” said Rep. Hermina Morita, (D-Kauai).
Morita's environmental protection committee voted to suspend the service before it starts, by requiring environmental studies the courts and the state transportation department have said are unneccessary.
“They abide by the rules and at the last moment everything is pulled out from under them,” complained Rep. Cynthia Thielen, (R-Windward Oahu), who voted against the measure.
“I wonder why any company wants to do business in Hawaii,” Thielen said.
Despite the committee's vote, the superferry expects to continue full speed ahead, with cars coming onto these barges and then onto the superferry by this summer.
“We've brought in experts from around the islands with invasive species, with whales, with traffic consultants,” said Hawaii Superferry’s Terry O’Halloran.
He expects to convince opponents the ferry has weighed many concerns.
“We've put those into policies and procedures that truly do address these issues.”
Bills calling for an environmental study head for their next legislative stops in both the senate and the house. But the house bill may not get far. The superferry has a powerful ally at the bill's next destination. House Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Joe Souki, (D-Maui), has the authority to stop the bill cold. And Souki supports the superferry.

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