Gov. Linda Lingle announced last night that she would hold a public meeting on Superferry at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Kaua'i War Memorial Convention Hall. Several other administration officials, Kaua'i Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Coast Guard Rear Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara also will attend and answer questions from residents.

Lingle has warned protesters on Kaua'i not to interfere with the ferry when it is scheduled to resume service to Nawiliwili Harbor on Sept. 26.

Lingle also met privately yesterday afternoon with state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), and state House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), about the possibility of a special session on Superferry. Hanabusa and Say also had met Sunday afternoon with state Attorney General Mark Bennett.

Among the questions, according to people familiar with the talks, is whether a special session of the Legislature should be held before or after courts on Maui and Kaua'i rule whether Superferry can resume service while the state conducts an environmental assessment.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.