LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Gov. Linda Lingle tried to calm tensions over the Hawaii Superferry at a raucous public meeting last night 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 that included several Superferry employees and their families showed support for the 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 said 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.

BARRAGE OF CRITICISM

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."

State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), said he hoped the Republican governor heard the message that people shared throughout the night. He said most Kauaians aren't necessarily opposed to the Superferry, but want an environmental assessment first.

"I was not surprised by the emotion. It's a very emotional time. The people of Kaua'i feel like nobody's listening to them," he said. "So when the governor finally comes over and listens, there's a lot of passion."

Hooser said he hopes the Coast Guard and the state delays resuming service next week.

"It would be very poor judgment on their part to force the issue," he said. "I would encourage them to wait for the Kaua'i and Maui courts to decide one way or the other."

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.

'BAD NEIGHBORS'

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 the 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 ecosystem."

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 goes beyond an environmental assessment. "It's about where people here see the island now and the direction it's going to go in the future," he said.

LINGLE NOT OFFENDED

The meeting lasted 3 1/2 hours and Lingle stayed afterward and talked personally to people who didn't have a chance to speak at the meeting.

She told reporters later she was not offended by the intensity of the crowd.

"But the passion is very intense," she said, "and what I wanted to try to communicate tonight is this issue of knowingly violating the law is just unnecessary, because there are clearly ways to protest, legal ways to make your point.

"One man said to me tonight: 'But you wouldn't have come tonight if we hadn't jumped into the water.'

"And I told him, 'You're probably right, because of my concern for safety.'

"And that is what brought me here tonight."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.