ISLAND VOICES
Cruise industry stands by its word
John Hansen is president of the North West CruiseShip
Association.
The North West CruiseShip Association wishes to clarify issues raised in an Oct. 27 Advertiser editorial advocating the passage of legislation to protect Hawaiian waters.
We care as much about Hawai'i's fragile marine environment as residents do. That's why we spent the last 18 months working closely with state and federal officials to outline stringent standards for waste management practices and procedures that protect Hawaiian waters.
A large portion of the memorandum of agreement (MOU) signed on Oct. 25 by the state of Hawaii and the association recognizes laws and regulations that already exist, mostly under jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard. In fact, many of the MOU standards reflect Alaska's rigid laws, and meet or exceed Hawai'i's own laws.
For example, MOU policy guidelines prohibit waste — treated or untreated — from being discharged until ships are at least four nautical miles beyond waters that are 600 feet deep. Current Hawai'i jurisdiction covers waters that extend only three miles from land.
MOU guidelines are designed to protect sensitive Hawai'i marine areas such as the whale sanctuary, penguin banks and the rich fishing grounds southwest of Moloka'i.
Concerns expressed by a local environmental group that "Hawai'i might get the second-best" when it comes to technology-advanced cruise ships is unfounded. The North West CruiseShip Association vessels that serve Hawai'i are the same ones that operate in Alaska.
True, the MOU does not carry the weight or force law, but it is a binding document that must be adhered to by all of our 10 member lines. Furthermore, failure to comply with the MOU undermines the good will and public support of the cruise industry in Hawai'i. Discharge violations would undoubtedly be reported in the media, which would reflect badly on cruise lines, not just in Hawai'i, but throughout the world.
Believe you me, bad press can be a powerful incentive.
More importantly, though, is the fact that the association is committed to safeguarding all of Hawai'i's stunning and precious marine resources.
We have promised to be good and faithful stewards of the environment. It is a pledge we do not take lightly as it affects the future of our industry and the future of Hawai'i.
