Cruise lines plan to skip Moloka'i

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

The cruise lines and those who opposed their ships from coming to Moloka'i have declared a truce after residents were reassured that no cruise ships would be stopping at the Friendly Isle.

In a Thursday meeting described as a new beginning and a time for healing, company officials also talked about an alternative in which passengers could be ferried from Maui on smaller boats. But no final plans or conclusions were reached at Kulana 'Oiwi in Kalama'ula.

"I liked what happened," said Walter Ritte Jr., a leader of Hui Ho'opakela 'Aina, a group that with the environmental law firm Earthjustice filed a lawsuit against the cruise lines last year in an effort to block the stopovers. "It sends a clear signal that if you're going to do business on Moloka'i, you're going to have to go through a community process first."

Isaac Moriwake, an attorney with Earthjustice, said the meeting represented a new beginning and brought a measure of healing for residents and officials with Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, which had added Moloka'i to their lists of Hawai'i ports of call.

The cruise lines faced intense opposition from some Moloka'i residents. Foes cited environmental concerns and disruptions to the rural community of 7,300 residents.

Others on the island and in the tourism industry saw the influx of thousands of visitors as an opportunity to improve the economy.

After several contested attempts to stop at the island, the cruise lines decided earlier this year to cancel their plans for cruise visits.

Tom Dow, spokesman for Princess Cruises, described Thursday's gathering as a friendly discussion but noted that no conclusions were reached. He said the companies apologized for causing the controversy.

Although cruise ship supporter Sandy Beddow of the Moloka'i Visitors Bureau didn't attend the meeting, citing short notice and a scheduling conflict, she did say that she subsequently signed up for a citizens' committee to discuss alternative proposals.

"It's important to do something positive and to move forward to help this island," Beddow said.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit requesting an environmental review before cruise lines stop at Moloka'i is still pending.

A judge dismissed the cruise lines from the case, and Earthjustice appealed the dismissal. The state remains a defendant in the case.

Ritte said members of Hui Ho'opakela 'Aina would be meeting with their attorney to discuss their options, including dropping the suit.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.