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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 9:43 p.m., Thursday, September 20, 2007

Boos greet Lingle at Superferry meeting on Kauai

Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Staff Writer

 

Angry people in the crowd booed Gov. Lingle when she spoke about the Superferry tonight on Kaua'i.

Photo by Joaquin Siopack | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Lingle told the crowd that the decision to let the Superferry return to Kaua'i has already been made.

Photo by Joaquin Siopack | The Honolulu Advertiser

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LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Gov. Linda Lingle tried to calm tensions over the Hawai'i Superferry at a raucous public meeting tonight where she was interrupted by boos, hecklers and scattered profanities.

Most of the people in the standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,100 at the Kaua'i War Memorial were opposed to the Superferry and predicted more protests when the ferry returns Wednesday.

A smaller group including several Superferry employees and their families showed support for the interisland ferry.

"EIS, EIS, EIS," the crowd stood and chanted at the start of the meeting. Along with Lingle, Barry Fukunaga, director of the state Department of Transportation, and Coast Guard Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara were also interrupted and booed.

Many speakers told Lingle that the state should wait until courts on Maui and Kaua'i act on legal challenges to the Superferry before authorizing resumed service to Nawiliwili Harbor.

"We call on you, we count on you to choose life and righteousness," said Kaua'i County Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura.

Lingle drew more boos when she said the decision to allow the Superferry to return to Kaua'i has already been made, and she just wanted to hear residents' concerns about a planned federal security zone at the harbor and other issues.

"My answers may not be the ones you want to hear and I accept that," Lingle told the crowd.

With Lingle standing behind a podium on stage, speaker after speaker criticized all aspects of the Superferry — from the state's initial policy decision to exempt the Superferry from an environmental assessment to broader accusations that the administration appeared to be favoring corporate interests over the people of the island.

Andrea Brower of Anahola asked the governor if she feels justified in threatening protesters with arrest and prosecution for standing up to the ferry.

Brower's question received a rousing ovation.

Lingle replied: "It is our hope and our desire than no one faces a penalty because no one breaks the law."

Before the meeting, dozens of people gathered outside the nearby County Building.

And many spoke of using the right words and tone to get their message to the governor.

Many people are cognizant of how the protests have been perceived on the other islands.

Many are also concerned about how the Superferry fight has divided some people here. Barbara Elmore, who is retired and lives in Lihu'e, said she believes she is among the few people who support the Superferry.

"It makes us look like bad neighbors," she said of the protests.

Elmore also said the reaction to Superferry is symbolic of a deeper sentiment in the community about how life here is changing. "I think people here are fed up with development," she said.

Michelle Fields, a realtor who lives in Puhi, said she wants more assurances from Superferry executives that they are going to thoroughly inspect vehicles before voyages.

She said she is worried that a lack of screening could lead to transport of illegal drugs, invasive species and even ecoterrorism.

"I want to know that the cars that are coming over on the ferry are properly screened," she said. "Each of our islands has a delicate ecosysten."

Dennis Chun, who teaches Hawaiian studies at Kaua'i Community College, said he disagreed with how Lingle has handled objections from Kaua'i.

"It's Big Brother telling Little Brother what to do. To me that approach just creates more conflict," he said.

But Chun also believes the issue at stake goes beyond an environmental assessment for Superferry. "It's about where people here see the island now and the direction it's going to go in the future."