LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Demonstrators protesting the Hawaii Superferry yesterday said they're worried it could change the outer islands' rural lifestyle and set a precedent for overriding the courts.

About 250 people gathered at the event dubbed the "Nawiliwili Ti Party" at Nawiliwili Park on Kaua'i, The Kauai Garden Island News reported.

"The reason people live here is specifically to not be connected," said Timoteo Rysdale of Wailua. "We don't need people here until we can take care of Kaua'i."

The protesters voiced their displeasure over a measure passed by state lawmakers last week allowing the Superferry to resume operations, circumventing court rulings requiring it to wait until the completion of an environmental study.

The Superferry could resume voyages from O'ahu to Maui and Kaua'i within two weeks.

As part of the event, the demonstrators took to the sea to participate in a water protest. They navigated their surfboards, canoes and kayaks to the middle of Nawiliwili Harbor to show solidarity with protests on Maui, the Big Island and O'ahu.

Superferry executives had threatened to leave the state if they had to wait for an environmental review to be done, which could have taken months or years. Gov. Linda Lingle's administration had granted the ferry an exception to the state's environmental laws in 2005.

"The most upsetting thing to me is the process," said demonstrator Andrea Brower of 'Aliomanu. "It was so undemocratic, so illegal and is undermining the most important environmental law."

Others may see the way lawmakers gave in to the Superferry and think they don't have to obey environmental laws, said Jill Friedman of Kapa'a.

"Every time the Legislature doesn't like the judge's decision, it will be challenged," she said.

Protesters also said they were concerned the Superferry could collide with whales, spread invasive species and bring traffic to the island.