Posted on: Saturday, March 21, 2009
Superferry blame game in full swing
By David Shapiro
The sound of the Hawaii Superferry going splat rings in our ears as we "flASHback" on the week's news that amused and confused:
The Superferry is seeking a new income source after the Supreme Court shut down its interisland service. With murky plans and dim prospects, the company seems a perfect candidate for a federal bailout.
Gov. Linda Lingle wants the court to reconsider its Superferry "mistake." That's as likely as Lingle admitting she blew it on Sarah Palin.
Senate President Colleen Hanabusa thinks the Supreme Court overstepped its power in the case. The justices were bound to be accused of playing God when they summarized their ruling, "Thou shalt not sail."
The state met with Superferry execs to discuss payments on $40 million in harbor improvements built for the Alakai. I'm glad the ferry guys got one good laugh this week.
In non-Superferry news, a jury socked Korean pop star Rain and his managers with an $8 million fraud verdict for canceling a 2007 concert here. With those big sunglasses, he never saw the deep kim chee he was stepping in.
New Hawai'i Tourism Authority chief Mike McCartney says his top goal is "bringing people together." I'm sure the few tourists still visiting us would love to meet each other.
News release headline: "Governor Lingle announces agreement to advance 'Big Wind' projects." After six years, she's finally figured out how to harness the Legislature.
The city is looking for a grassy home for seven horses left jobless when police disbanded the mounted patrol. Why not rent the Superferry to shelter the homeless and give the horses Kapi'olani Park?
The City Council advanced a bill that would ban use of electronic devices while driving. Drat, just when I rigged a way to power my hair curler.
Yale University is paying $12 million to use the W.M. Keck telescopes atop Mauna Kea 15 nights a year. We have bars where you can look at heavenly bodies any night for a two-drink minimum.
The Hawaii Executive Conference canceled a retreat for the corporate and academic elite at a Kaua'i resort. With bailout bonuses up in the air, who can commit?
And the quote of the week ... from House Finance Chairman Marcus Oshiro on the state budget: "I don't believe in pulling rabbits out of a hat, or wishing upon a star, or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." How else could legislators have scored 36 percent pay raises in this economy?
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