Updated at 5:01 p.m., Monday, September 10, 2007
Hawaii Superferry a threat to whales, court witness says
Advertiser Staff
WAILUKU, Maui — Marine biologist Hannah Bernard was the sole witness to testify today in the first day of a Maui Circuit Court hearing to decide whether the Hawaii Superferry can operate while the state conducts an environmental assessment of ferry-related projects at four state harbors.Bernard said the Superferry's 350-foot catamaran and other large, fast-moving vessels are a particular threat to humpback whales and other species.
She is one of approximately 30 people on a list of potential witnesses in the hearing on a motion for a permanent injunction filed by Maui Tomorrow, the Sierra Club and the Kahului Harbor Coalition.
The hearing will resume at 10 a.m. tomorrow before Judge Joseph Cardoza. In the meantime, a temporary restraining order remains in place preventing the interisland ferry from using Kahului Harbor.
