SUPERFERRY

HAWAI'I SHOULDN'T COMPROMISE FOR FERRY

As a resident on O'ahu, I may be in the minority with my opinion on the fate of the Superferry.

I'm appalled by the position of Gov. Linda Lingle and those in the Legislature who feel a special session is required to fix this problem.

It's my understanding the law relating to the need for an environmental impact statement is sound. Not only does it not need to be adjusted in the wake of this debacle, but there is certainly no need to create a legal exception to allow the Superferry to operate without completing an environmental impact statement.

A special session sends a terrible message to Hawai'i businesses, as well as sets a dangerous precedent for the future; if you're selling something we want, you don't have to follow the law in order to sell it to us.

Sure, I'll be disappointed to see the Superferry leave, but I believe this is an opportunity to send a message to businesses thinking about starting up in Hawai'i: We're not against business, as some claim, we are simply unwilling to compromise our principles or our environment to make it easier for businesses to operate here.

With respect for the 'aina,

RULING SENDS MESSAGE HAWAI'I IS NOT FOR SALE

The ferry ruling sure does affect our image. I hope that the message is that big-bucks companies cannot bulldoze their way in here, run over our rights, show disrespect to the people and our wants for our Islands and with the help of Gov. Linda Lingle and Department of Transportation Director Barry Fukunaga do end runs around our laws.

There are too many wealthy people and companies that think they can buy us, buy our islands, buy our shorelines, and bully or bribe us into letting them have or do what they want.

I hope that the governor and her department directors have gotten the message that they, too, have to follow our laws.

The image and message, backed by the courts, is that we, our islands and our lifestyle are not for sale.

WHAT BLINDED SO MANY ON SUPERFERRY ISSUE?

Auwe! Hawai'i is going to get a black eye for the way it treats its malihini.

Poor Alakai sits in Honolulu Harbor with no one to give a ride to. All she ever wanted to do is give rides to the kama'aina and the malihini and let them take their cars with them.

She wanted to give the folks a scenic ride on her state-of-the-art twin hulls and jet-propelled motors.

They greeted her with boos and jeers and made the folks feel bad for riding her. They said all kinds of bad words about her, and all she ever wanted to do was make people happy.

Her owners invested tens of millions of dollars to have her built, and so the state did the same to give her and her riders a nice place to drive up to.

But then those who considered her a threat took her to court and said all these things about her that are unproven. It wasn't like she was going to transport spent uranium or carry SARS-infected passengers.

What blinded so many people? Why hasn't anyone stood up for her? All Alakai wants to do is give folks a ride, reunite families and let people enjoy this beautiful 'aina.

Where did all the aloha go?

ALL FERRY PARTIES KNEW REVIEW WAS NEEDED

My golfing buddies and I have talked about golfing on the Neighbor Islands by way of the Hawaii Superferry. Sail over in the early morning, drive off, golf, eat, drive on and return home that same evening.

From all I have read about the Superferry fiasco, all parties knew that an environmental assessment, and likely an environmental impact statement, were required by law. And all parties agreed to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

So where did we go wrong? In our society there are always a select few who will try to circumvent the law. Many find themselves behind bars but the privileged may garner assistance from those charged with protecting us from the few.

I hope the Legislature can fix the problems and allow the Superferry to sail, and I hope they can do it in such a way that bad precedent is not set. But I am extremely skeptical.

It appears that Gov. Linda Lingle took a page from the governance philosophy of President George W. Bush: "I am the decider."

KAUA'I FERRY HEARING AN EMBARRASSMENT

This letter is in response to all you who are against the Superferry.

Most of you were not around when our only way of transportation was by boat. During the 1920s, '30s, and '40s, we had the SS Haleakala, Hualalai, Kilauea and Waialeale.

These were fine ships that carried as many as 200 passengers.

As a crew member during World War II, our ships carried up to 1,000 soldiers. Most of these fine ships were sold to the Philippine government.

Steerage travel sailed over-night, passengers brought their own bedding, and were confined to the aft of the ship. The fare was $7.

Many Kauaians abhor travel by airplane, but we do it to visit family and friends away from Kaua'i.

I attended the Superferry hearing at the Kaua'i Convention Hall. It was an embarrassment. I am 84 years of age, and if I was 50 years younger, I would "have it out" with this young punk next to me, who with his loud, disrespectful words, harassed our governor and dignitaries.

I did not stay long as I know there certainly would have been a confrontation with this "idiot."

NOTE TO KAUA'I, MAUI: DON'T COME TO O'AHU

With Christmas just around the corner, I don't want people from Kaua'i or Maui coming to Honolulu to shop at our shopping centers and making it more crowded and causing more traffic with their rented vehicles.

It's crowded enough already, don't come, we don't want you.

It works both ways.

OAHUANS WILL BRING ALOHA ON KAUA'I VISITS

In response to the letter (Oct. 16) written by M. Mulhall from Kapa'a, your choice of words begs for a response. You stated that the ferry and the Lingle administration broke the law. The truth is they misinterpreted the need for an environmental impact study.

You mentioned that the Superferry will do untold harm to Kaua'i, yet fail to say how.

You say that O'ahu was destroyed years ago. Destroyed? Honolulu has better medical facilities and more options for continual education.

We have city transportation, entertainment events, more higher paying jobs, more stores with cheaper price tags and less dangerous roads from a head-on collision. Destroyed? I call this progress.

Lastly, what makes you think we will negatively impact "your" island by going there, especially by ferry and not by plane?

We will bring the spirit of aloha with us to Kaua'i, instead of disrespect for the land.

Can you believe that to be true? I doubt it.

CAR RACERS COULD USE RACE PARK ON MAUI

I attended last Friday's Blues on the Bay Airshow practice at Marine Corp Base Hawai'i.

I browsed through a car show there with hotrods, dragsters, etc. I asked one of the racers where they race now that Hawai'i Raceway Park is closed.

She said they were hoping to use the Superferry to get to Maui and race at their park.

Auwe to those who don't see the benefits of the Superferry.

IN EMERGENCIES

COMMUNICATION WILL BE TIMELY AND ACCURATE

Some important points concerning emergency communications were not in The Advertiser's Oct. 15 editorial.

Through the Governor's Comprehensive Communications Review Committee, which involved more than 140 participants from government, media, companies and tele-communications providers, we have enhanced and coordinated emergency communications procedures. Also, news outlets statewide have increased backup power capabilities to communicate information in emergencies.

State Civil Defense also developed a new procedure. When an earthquake occurs but does not generate a destructive tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center will issue a statement through the Emergency Alert System. This procedure worked effectively after a strong aftershock on Thanksgiving Day 2006.

Civil Defense-designated local primary radio stations — connected to the EAS system — in all four counties have emergency backup power to broadcast during a blackout. These stations continue collaborating with Civil Defense, other media, utility companies and telecommunications providers to better prepare for emergencies.

To ensure information is accessible to non-English speakers, the state has funded backup generators for KZOO radio station, which broadcasts in Japanese, and KNDI, which broadcasts in 12 languages. These stations have translated scripts for tests of the EAS and siren warning system, along with scripts for other possible disasters.

Through a cooperative effort, we have improved emergency communications capabilities, and we will continue refining these procedures.

Residents and visitors should be confident that during an emergency, state government will communicate accurate and timely information.