Updated at 7:30 p.m., Friday, September 21, 2007
Hawaii Superferry argues for Kauai judge to drop case
By JAYMES SONG
Associated Press
Environmentalists are asking Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano to issue a permanent restraining order against the ferry, which is currently scheduled to resume service to Kaua'i on Wednesday.
About 30 Superferry employees outnumbered opponents in the crowded courtroom, unified in blue aloha shirts.
On Thursday, protesters and environmentalists had packed an explosive public meeting held by Gov. Linda Lingle, where she tried to ease their fears about the state's first interisland passenger and vehicle ferry.
State sheriffs had seized an Associated Press reporter's audio recorder before the Friday court hearing. They said they were following the instructions from the judge limiting media.
But Valenciano ordered that the audio recorder be returned an hour and a half into the proceeding.
At the start of the hearing, only one video camera and one still camera were allowed. All other video, audio and still photography was barred.
