today that the Superferry controversy is giving the state a negative image nationally and internationally.

Lingle said it made sense for Superferry to postpone its resumption of ferry service to Kaua'i until the court cases on Maui and Kaua'i are decided, which could be soon.

The governor also said the question of a special session of the state Legislature to help Superferry is still open because of the potential that any court ruling could be appealed.

"My bigger and broader concern on this issue right now is the future well-being of a sense of community in our state," Lingle said. "This is giving us a very bad reputation."

Lingle said she has given a lot of thought over the past few days to the public meeting on Superferry on Kaua'i last Thursday, where she was booed and heckled and subjected to profanities.

Lingle had told reporters immediately after the meeting that she was not offended by the intensity of the crowd. But the following day, after digesting what happened, she described some of the crowd behavior as rude.

"But beyond being rude, it's un-Hawai'i like. It's just not the way we treat each other. It's not the way we relate to each other, and that bothers me a lot," Lingle said.

Lingle also said she does not consider those who acted out last Thursday as representative of the people of Kaua'i.