Project shortsighted

The public and private support for this Superferry seems to be a manifestation of the shortsighted, bargain-obsessed consumers we have become. By moving forward on this project without an EIS, we would demonstrate that we are willing to put a great deal at risk to save a few bucks (never mind the $40 million for harbor improvements), even risking our 'aina.

This paints a sad picture. By choosing to make a decision based solely on concern for time and money, we would choose to perpetuate the lack of wise and effective planning in our beloved state.

I dream of living here for years to come, and I dream of supporting leaders who make decisions based on ideals greater than money, and one is a sense of responsibility to the land that sustains us all.

Keeping family near

Auwe! The entrenched powers are marshaling to deny us a new and exciting way of staying in touch with Neighbor Island family and of growing our small businesses!

Hey, what about the tens of thousands of gallons of sewage released in nearshore waters every time it rains? Let's fix that, not kill the people's ferry.

Many positives

As most of us with Neighbor Island ties already know, air travel between islands has become unmanageable. Between the high prices and increased security regulations, it has become difficult to visit relatives and friends and has stopped many of us from traveling as frequently as we'd like.

We are an island state held captive because of limited transportation choices. Ease of travel is in everyone's interest. With the Superferry, personal relationships can be maintained and strengthened, business is supported, farmers and other producers are better able to get their products to the population center. It keeps our state healthy and vibrant.

We cannot let the ferry project drown in another sea of bureaucratic and special-interest red tape.

Take care of airlines

I am not in favor of the Superferry. I feel every effort should be made to require an environmental impact study. Our environment in Hawai'i is our most precious asset.

We have two local airlines that are in bankruptcy, and the state is considering putting millions into the Superferry project. I feel the state should take care of the industry that has been serving Hawai'i for over 80 years first.

Alternative welcome

The Superferry is a godsend to those of us who want to see our Neighbor Island families more often. Living is Hawai'i is so costly to us locals. An alternative mode of transportation is welcome and highly desirable, especially since it will be cheaper.

If the tourist ships did not need an environmental impact statement, then why is one being demanded at the 11th hour? Auwe!

Don't waste time

I am sure that there were environmental studies made before all of the many cruise ships were allowed to come to Hawai'i. If we can have these monster-size ships in our waters, there is no reason not to allow a much-needed ferry! Don't waste time and money on any more "studies."

Better shipping cost

I strongly support the proposed Hawai'i Superferry and will use it for every interisland trip rather than fly on airplanes. I loved the SeaFlite ferry when it was here, and this one will be even better because you can take your car on it.

Of course Young Brothers is against it! In December I shipped a car to Kaua'i, and the cost was $160 — one way. I don't know how the intended shipment prices will work out, but anything less than that would be a bonus.

I also feel that our Neighbor Island agricultural efforts will be greatly enhanced, with lower-cost shipment to the market here on O'ahu.

The ride should be comfortable and the view spectacular.

Do it for local people

It's become so expensive with air fares and car rentals that the Superferry would be a perfect way to travel more. My husband and I used to travel to Maui and the Big Island frequently. Now it's just too expensive.

I have been to the Mainland many times for business and vacation and find ferries are very successful. We need something like this in Hawai'i. I know the airlines and car companies won't like it, but let's do something for the local people.

Local families win

All my friends and family on Kaua'i are eager for the Superferry to begin operations. Negotiating the airlines and car rentals have become too onerous for me to contemplate going home to Kaua'i for any reason.

Airline fares alone make it very difficult for local families — on local wage scales — to visit family on other islands (especially with the keiki), and the rates and taxes on rental cars do not make them affordable even for kama'aina.

I do not see where a daily arrival of a Superferry will increase traffic more than two airplanes full of passengers who immediately rent cars would. Am I missing something here?

Too many problems

The impact of the Superferry to the state and especially the Neighbor Islands is such that an environmental impact statement is absolutely mandated. The problems that are created by moving vehicles from one island to another in the numbers anticipated must be addressed.

These problems include inability to prevent the spread of alien species, lack of infrastructure to accommodate the added vehicles to already-crowded roads, likelihood of collision with whales and especially lack of facilities at the Neighbor Island harbors.

Captives of airlines

Although we do feel that the environment is important, the Superferry is needed now. We are captives to the monopoly of two airlines that overcharge transportation between islands. We no longer travel between islands unless we have to.

We also believe that the push for the lengthy environmental impact statement is more political than environmental. We're sure that the airlines, the shipping companies and car-rental companies want the Superferry derailed.

This will have ramifications during the next election.

Let's require an EIS for everything and shut Isles

This is the type of ferry that is planned for use in Hawaiian waters by 2006. Photo by Hawaii Superferry

• There are probably 50 large ships traversing the waters between various Neighbor Islands at the moment this sentence is being read.

• The interisland airlines, private airplanes and the mammoth cruise ships are all also currently making the same journeys, all without an environmental impact study.

• In the Superferry we are talking about a single ship, with tremendous social and economic utility.

• The Superferry entrepreneurs have been working with the Hawaiian National Humpback Whale Sanctuary for over two years, and Terry White, Superferry chief of operations, is on the Sanctuary Advisory Council to develop the most advanced whale-avoidance best practices in the world.

"Bad idea"? It is a tremendous idea. I would like to suggest to our lawmakers that we immediately halt all interisland shipping, airline flights, fishing, marine agriculture, construction of any sort, and subject them all to a comprehensive and thorough environmental impact study, of the sort that our gallant advocates of the EIS for the Superferry suggest.

Of course, it would take about three years to figure out who should be in business and who shouldn't, and in that time a few thousand people on the Neighbor Islands would starve, and tens of thousands would go out of business.

Of course, the irony of all this is that O'ahu would do OK. It is the Neighbor Islands, which we are supposed to believe oppose the Superferry, that would suffer the most.

Certainly folks on Maui and the Neighbor Islands didn't vote to have high prices, expensive transportation, lack of investment, lousy infrastructure and low tourism, but again, I'm sure the advocates of the EIS have thought this all through.