COMMENTARY
All aboard for some; not so fast for others
By Bryan K. Mignone
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Have you checked out The Hot Seat? It's our opinion-page blog that brings in your elected leaders and people in the news and lets you ask the questions during a live online chat.
On The Hot Seat last week was John Garibaldi, president and chief executive officer of Hawaii Superferry, which is set to begin service in July.
Wharfrat: In the 1970s I rode SeaFlite to other islands and loved it. As I recall there were no problems in starting this ferry system, other islands did not complain about traffic and alien pests and no EIS (environmental impact statement) was needed. So why is it so difficult to start the new ferry system? Have times changed so much in the past 30 years?
John Garibaldi: Aloha everyone. Thanks for joining me on today's hot seat session. That's a good question wharfrat. Times have certainly changed and we at Hawaii Superferry are concerned about our islands today just as we know others are. We will operate as any other transportation company and (have) completed numerous studies in addressing environmental and community concerns.
Ralph: What kind of effects does your company anticipate the ferry having on the marine environment, i.e., alien species spread, grounding, spills, and collisions, and what can you do to mitigate these potential problems?
Also, relating to this, as a fisherman, the obvious question is will there be a transport limit for marine life? The fear is the outer islands will be at risk even more when O'ahu residents go and fish for personal and commercial use. Thanks.
Garibaldi: Hawaii Superferry is an environmentally friendly operator. The specially designed ferries have many unique features built in to help protect our environment. The ferries will not discharge wastewater and will use unique nontoxic bottom paint in order to keep Hawai'i's waters clean. Unlike conventional ships, there are no ballast tanks that can transport invasive species between islands.
We recognize that each island has a unique ecosystem and we are committed to help prevent the spread of invasive species between our islands. Our policies are more restrictive than current regulations. Working with experts from the Islands' Invasive Species Committees and the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture, we have developed policies, procedures and education programs that go beyond current regulations.
Thanks to the assistance of the Hawai'i Invasive Species Council Public Outreach Workgroup, Hawaii Superferry is developing a comprehensive educational program for all passengers. We are committed to educating our passengers, not only on appropriate restrictions, but also to help passengers learn how to personally prevent the spread of invasive species. Our education program will be implemented on our Web site, at time of reservation, in our terminals, and on board through video and written materials.
Hawaii Superferry recognizes that any vessel traversing Hawai'i's waters has a responsibility to help protect and avoid whales whenever possible. To address this we have developed a comprehensive whale avoidance policy. This policy was developed in collaboration with whale researchers and with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whales National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. Our policy has been published on our Web site for nearly two years and is much stricter than existing federal regulations in Hawai'i. Highlights of the policy include the following:
We expect that our passengers will abide by existing regulations governing fishing activities.
J. Garcia Jr.: I believe the concept is great for the state and residents will benefit greatly. Understanding this is a large ferry, I'm wondering what the anticipated ride will be like, i.e., anticipated sea sickness and inclement weather delays or cancellations.
Garibaldi: The ride should be as great as the views from the passenger deck as the ferry makes its way through our channels. The ferry was specifically designed for Hawai'i's waters using data taken from our waters. Having said that, there will still be days, less than 2% per year, in which the ride may be bumpy. If anyone is prone to sea sickness or motion sickness, we recommend they take an approved medication prior to boarding.
Don: What security measures are in place for the vehicles being transported? Will they be searched? If so, how thoroughly?
Garibaldi: All vehicles will go through a screening process during check-in according to our security plan, which is approved by the Coast Guard, an arm of Homeland Security. Our agents will be trained in various security procedures.
All vehicle compartments must be accessible and are subject to screening.
Ni: What are the specific arrangements you have made on Maui to ensure that all those vehicles getting off the ferry don't cause one major traffic jam in Lahaina? (This goes for other islands as well.)
Garibaldi: Thanks for your question on our traffic management plans for each of our ports.
Operational plans have been completed and submitted to the Department of Transportation Harbors Division as part of our operating agreement. These plans include independent traffic studies. Although the ferry vessel has a maximum capacity of 282 small cars and 866 passengers, our average projected loads are estimated at 110 vehicles (varying sizes of cars and trucks) and 400 passengers per voyage. We will not significantly increase the number of cars on any island as each voyage will be carrying approximately the same number of vehicles on and off each island.
In order to better manage traffic in our facilities and on adjacent roadways, we have implemented the following:
We will continue to monitor traffic issues after the start of service and make any necessary adjustments.
Rich Hoeppner: Your Superferry will not be operating as any other transportation company; no other company operates at half the speed, no other company has drive-on/drive-off capabilities of over 200 vehicles, no other company has daily schedules to the outer islands, and no other craft is a catamaran with narrow sharp bows.
Garibaldi: We are very excited about the prospect of bringing choice to interisland travel. Ferries such as ours are used throughout the world and enable residents of island communities to visit relatives and friends throughout their island chain, open commercial opportunities and give people the freedom of choice. In our pursuit of providing this service we have spent considerable time and resources in studying environmental issues and working with the communities in developing practical solutions to help protect our islands.
Joe: Is the ferry construction coming along as scheduled? And when can we begin using it? My family and I are very excited about the possibilities of going outer island for a weekend and camping with our van.
Garibaldi: The first vessel's construction is on track. We launched the vessel on Jan. 19 and expect it in Hawai'i the first week of May. Our second vessel is under construction for use in the islands in 2009.
