Carol Okada said invasive species will continue to spread throughout the Islands with or without the interisland ferry. "It will continue to move as it's doing now. It's just a matter of time. ..." she said. "As long as people move and cargo moves, invasive species will move."

Her agency was approached by the Hawaii Superferry to discuss how to reduce the chances of invasive plants and animals hitchhiking aboard the interisland ferry and to train company employees.

The ferry workers do not conduct inspections, Okada said, because that is the Department of Agriculture's duty. However, they screen passengers and vehicles to see whether they are carrying plants or nondomestic animals, and if they have a certificate of inspection from the department.

"We don't expect Superferry to be able to detect pests or disease on a plant, that is our job," she said.

Okada is testifying in a Maui Circuit Court hearing to determine whether the company should be allowed to resume service while the state conducts an environmental assessment of ferry-related projects at Kahului Harbor.

The Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow and the Kahului Harbor Coalition have cited concerns about the spread of invasive species as one reason to keep the ferry tied up at dock while ways to reduce the threat are examined in an assessment.

The groups claim the ferry will encourage campers, hikers and hunters to take their cars and trucks into wilderness areas on the Neighbor Islands where they can pick up seeds, insects and other pests.