Gov. Linda Lingle told reporters this afternoon that she wanted to talk with the state attorney general's office and state lawmakers about the state's options, including whether to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on the law that allows Hawaii Superferry to operate without a complete environmental impact statement.

Lingle said she believes very strongly that the Legislature had the authority to pass the law.

Lingle also defended her administration's decision to exempt the project from environmental review, which triggered the legal challenges from environmentalists.

"I'm sure there are all sorts of political opinions out there," she said.

"But we know from the beginning we were correct and accurate, did the right thing, and we've been able to provide a great service for the people of Maui and Oahu, one that they've come to appreciate and in some cases to depend upon, especially in the case of small businesses."

The governor said she wanted to preserve the Superferry as an alternative form of transporting passengers and goods between the Islands.

"I think it would be devastating for the Superferry to stop its operation," she said.