Greg Kaufman has been called as a witness in a hearing to determine whether the new interisland service should be allowed to operate while the state conducts an environmental assessment of ferry-related projects at Kahului Harbor. He will appear on behalf of the Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow and the Kahului Harbor Coalition, which have been pushing for the assessment.

Kaufman testified in February before two state Senate committees on the need for an environmental study of the high-speed ferry, which he claims poses a substantial risk of collision with the endangered whales.

In that testimony, Kaufman said that whales in Hawai'i are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes because they spend more time on the surface nursing, calving and socializing during their annual visits.

The risk of collision and serious injury to whales also is much greater at vessel speeds above 13 knots, he said. The Hawaii Superferry's 350-foot catamaran the Alakai will be cruising at 37 knots.

The Maui-based Pacific Whale Foundation is a nonprofit organization involved in education and research activities, as well as whale-watch and other boat tours.