Posted on: Sunday, February 16, 2003

Cruise lines defer Moloka'i port calls

Associated Press

Two cruise lines say they won't make stops at Moloka'i until they are able to meet with residents about their environmental concerns.

Holland American Lines Inc. and Princess Cruises said Friday that they won't start their Moloka'i visits until at least next winter.

The chairmen of the state Senate and House transportation committees had asked the cruise lines to cancel their scheduled visits to Moloka'i until after a meeting with residents.

Sen. Cal Kawamoto, D-18th (Waipahu, Crestview, Pearl City), and Rep. Joseph Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waiehu), said the cruise lines should discuss residents' concerns before making stops on Moloka'i.

Souki said no date has been set for the meeting, but it is likely to be held this summer after the legislative session.

Holland America's ship Statendam had planned to have its first visit on April 15, followed by its ship Amsterdam on April 18. With the April cancellations, the next scheduled call for both cruise lines will be next winter.

Holland America spokesman John Shively said the cruise line is willing to honor the legislators' request, even though "we believe that such a decision will disappoint our passengers and also disappoint many on Moloka'i."

He said it is clear that many people on Moloka'i still have questions about the visit.

Those questions can be addressed, he said, but only with appropriate company and government officials meeting on Moloka'i with local residents.

Shively said Holland America has had meetings with members of the Moloka'i community who support bringing cruise passengers to the island.

Souki said that if the majority of people at the Moloka'i meeting oppose cruise ship calls, he would be opposed to the ships' stopping there.

Maui Circuit Judge Shackley Rafetto denied a request Feb. 5 from a group called Hui Ho'opakele for a preliminary injunction to halt the cruise ship visits.