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Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

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  • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

    Originally posted by Miulang
    It was in this story from KHON.

    And also here on the Young Bros website is an official news release from Aug. 21.
    Mahalo nui for this information, I updated my blog to reflect this.
    Check out my blog on Kona issues :
    The Kona Blog

    Comment


    • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

      Aaron: Now the question for PBN is "why did you leave out that part of the news release about the possibility that the services are only guaranteed for the next 3 years"?

      Besides noting that the State was going to accommodate YB by finding more land offsite to offset the loss at the harbor, and that because of this, YB backed off on its application to discontinue LCL, isn't the fact that this agreement may only last until Jan. 1, 2010 the next most significant thing???

      Miulang
      "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

      Comment


      • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

        Originally posted by Miulang
        Aaron: Now the question for PBN is "why did you leave out that part of the news release about the possibility that the services are only guaranteed for the next 3 years"?
        Well guess what, I e-mailed PBN about that omission
        Check out my blog on Kona issues :
        The Kona Blog

        Comment


        • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

          More information that most people don't know regarding the State's plans are for accommodating Superferry and the cruise lines and container cargo services.

          There's a DOT recommended plan for container cargo terminals for the year 2020 that's worth looking at if you care about Honolulu's waterfront. It also talks about plans for expansion of cargo terminal areas on the Neighbor Islands, too.

          The plan itself isn't dated, but I'm pretty sure it was filed BEFORE the "big news splash" from YB yesterday, so there was no "last minute deal" by the State at all. There's also the matter of SR17, which was filed by the 2006 Legislature in conjunction with the Master Plan for 2020. I guess the only new piece of information yesterday was how long YB committed to continuing the LCL services they offer.

          What's sad for the people of Maui is the MOU agreed to will probably mean the demolition of two historically significant buildings on Maui on A&B property: the Railroad Building and the Old Kahului Store, which are adjacent to the current cargo facilities. It will mean the loss of several retail businesses and wipe out the last remnants of the old Kahului.

          For Honolulu, they envision the old Kapalama Military Reserve becoming the main cargo terminal for the city (well, I guess that's slightly better than putting up condos in that area), although 55 acres is a lot of land.

          Miulang
          Last edited by Miulang; August 22, 2006, 01:31 PM.
          "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

          Comment


          • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

            Here's the "official" skinny on the recent announcements made by YB and the State about finding more land near the harbor for YB to use for its LCL services. This time, it makes it clear that the arrangement is only temporary through Jan. 1, 2010. Finding additional land for LCL services will be tough in the area around the harbor because most of it is already developed. I still think the reason they gave that Jan. 1, 2010 date is they're figuring that Superferry will sink by then.

            In the meantime, what they plan to do with the 4 acres they have identified is just pave over the grassy areas near the buildings but leave the businesses that currently occupy the buildings alone. It looks like they're also telling Superferry that they can't have as much land as they first promised. I'm glad somebody's thinking about what's more important to the people of Maui for once.
            "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

            Comment


            • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

              Miulang, , no offense, but you need to get a blog and blog all this stuff.
              I tell you it does wonders. Then you won't be posting to yourself all the time
              Check out my blog on Kona issues :
              The Kona Blog

              Comment


              • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                I just want the super ferry so I can drive my BMW to Honolulu and have it fixed right and cheaper than in Hilo. To ship via YB my car needs to be pallatized and that runs about $300 each way.
                Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

                Comment


                • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                  Things are heating up again for Superferry. On Kauai and Maui, enough people are concerned about the environmental and traffic impacts that will be caused by Superferry to get support from Democratic candidate for governor Randal Iwase on Kauai and from Sen. Shan Tsutsui on Maui.

                  And with the ongoing airfare war, does Superferry still think it will be able to be profitable, especially since it anticipates adding an additional $10 fuel surcharge to its fares?

                  Miulang
                  "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                  Comment


                  • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                    I blogged about the public hearings here and here
                    Check out my blog on Kona issues :
                    The Kona Blog

                    Comment


                    • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                      Originally posted by Miulang
                      Things are heating up again for Superferry. On Kauai and Maui, enough people are concerned about the environmental and traffic impacts that will be caused by Superferry to get support from Democratic candidate for governor Randal Iwase on Kauai and from Sen. Shan Tsutsui on Maui.

                      And with the ongoing airfare war, does Superferry still think it will be able to be profitable, especially since it anticipates adding an additional $10 fuel surcharge to its fares?

                      Miulang
                      Here's what I don't understand, why didn't the State require an EIS even before Superferry went this far down the road? And did all these opponents raise an issue about EIS early in the beginning of the Superferry proposal?

                      I think Superferry will be able to be profitable considering even with the additional $10 fuel surcharge because their listed fares for just passengers is still less than airfare, not including the current crazy $19 unsustainable pricing war. Then you gotta add in businesses and their cargo trucks that will use the ferry. Plus, if they do secure that contract with the DoD.

                      Comment


                      • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                        Originally posted by joshuatree

                        I think Superferry will be able to be profitable considering even with the additional $10 fuel surcharge because their listed fares for just passengers is still less than airfare, not including the current crazy $19 unsustainable pricing war. Then you gotta add in businesses and their cargo trucks that will use the ferry. Plus, if they do secure that contract with the DoD.
                        Businesses and their cargo won't have that easy a time getting aboard Superferry. They can't just drop off their cargo. Superferry has stated that it will not transport unescorted cargo.Every truck has to have a driver to accompany the load.

                        We speculated many months ago that what Superferry wants is that DoD contract to ferry personnel and equipment between Oahu and the training site at Pohakuloa. And if they get that contract, do the local passengers get put on standby? And for neighbor island residents who don't want to just go on to Oahu, they get to pay for 2 legs of a trip one way and end up having to stop in Honolulu, so as appealing as it may sound, it ain't gonna be cheap or timely for Neighbor Island residents.

                        The Counties thought the DoT knew what it was doing (which the DoT did know, but just it wasn't doing what the Counties thought it was doing, like requesting an EIS for each port). Now the DoT is saying that no other form of interisland transportation has ever required an EIS, which is why they didn't believe an EIS was necessary. Horse manure. Just because it wasn't ever done before doesn't mean it shouldn't be done now. And what kind of stupidity is it for the State to be held hostage by Superferry in its agreement to pay Superferry $20k for every month the project gets delayed? What the State and Superferry obviously don't get is that most people still want Superferry, but they also want that EIS to be done first, which I think is a prudent move. And 3 groups in Maui County + Maui County itself will probably end up pursuing their court case to slow down the Superferry until an EIS is done.

                        Miulang
                        "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

                        Comment


                        • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                          Originally posted by Miulang
                          Businesses and their cargo won't have that easy a time getting aboard Superferry. They can't just drop off their cargo. Superferry has stated that it will not transport unescorted cargo.Every truck has to have a driver to accompany the load.

                          We speculated many months ago that what Superferry wants is that DoD contract to ferry personnel and equipment between Oahu and the training site at Pohakuloa. And if they get that contract, do the local passengers get put on standby? And for neighbor island residents who don't want to just go on to Oahu, they get to pay for 2 legs of a trip one way and end up having to stop in Honolulu, so as appealing as it may sound, it ain't gonna be cheap or timely for Neighbor Island residents.

                          The Counties thought the DoT knew what it was doing (which the DoT did know, but just it wasn't doing what the Counties thought it was doing, like requesting an EIS for each port). Now the DoT is saying that no other form of interisland transportation has ever required an EIS, which is why they didn't believe an EIS was necessary. Horse manure. Just because it wasn't ever done before doesn't mean it shouldn't be done now. And what kind of stupidity is it for the State to be held hostage by Superferry in its agreement to pay Superferry $20k for every month the project gets delayed? What the State and Superferry obviously don't get is that most people still want Superferry, but they also want that EIS to be done first, which I think is a prudent move. And 3 groups in Maui County + Maui County itself will probably end up pursuing their court case to slow down the Superferry until an EIS is done.

                          Miulang

                          I was referring to the type of cargo that would be accompanied by a driver. Presently, I am sure there are businesses with cargos that they would love to just drive from one island to the other but can't. The ferry would act as the bridge. These cargos can't be shipped via barge due to time sensitivity such as fresh flowers and produce. I am assuming right now, all of these products are transported via air freight.

                          As for the DoD contract, as long as it doesn't interfere with scheduled commercial service, I really see no problem with that. Does anyone have details? Do they plan on loading/unloading military equipment at civilian facilities? If the DoD contract merely is to use the ferry vessels during non scheduled hours and at naval facilities, ie. Pearl Harbor, to do the loading/unloading, I don't see the contract as a negative. Hawaiian and Aloha have bidded and serviced military contracts for transport in the past so why can't Superferry?

                          As for neighbor island residents not going to Oahu as their final destination, that's where flying may still make more sense. No offense to the neighbor islands, but the heart of commerce and urbanization is on Oahu so it makes sense for any transport business to use Oahu as the hub. Perhaps when future demand and patterns justify it, they may run a vessel direct between two neighbor islands.

                          As for EIS, yes I agree it's always good to run one. But I find it controversial to hold up Superferry especially if it did all that is required on its end in the beginning. If you were a business and you applied to a state to do business, did all that was required, wouldn't you be upset about a delay just because the gov't couldn't get it's inhouse business in order? After all, there's $40 million dollars worth of boats being built as we speak. Delays are a big deal since the boats are built with financing which means they owe interest and any delays means not getting any revenue to start repaying the loans.

                          I understand the premise that just because previous inter-island transports did not have to do an EIS for each port in the past doesn't mean we shouldn't do one now. But that means it's not mandated within the gov't rules and regulations and people need to fix that, not take it out on Superferry. It really does give Hawaii the reputation of a bad place to do business when you can't get a firm yes or no from the gov't. As for the hostage/stupidity of the State in paying for delay fees...well..that's called a contract right? Gov'ts can hold business accountable for delay fees, it's fair that it can go the other way around.

                          To me, it seems there are special interest groups on the anti-ferry side trying to engage in loophole tactics. There are companies that will stand to lose if a ferry service is available. At the end of the day, I honestly think Hawaii needs an interisland ferry to strengthen it's inter-island transport system. People then won't have to complain that air transport is the only means of getting from one island to another.

                          Comment


                          • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                            As I've mentioned before, I don't like the fact this is being shoved
                            down our throats. On top of that, our harbors are already maxed
                            out. Plus on top of that, I'm not sure our roadway infrastructure
                            will be able to support all these additional cars. Lastly, there is the
                            possibility of invasive species having an easier time getting between
                            the islands.

                            Yes, it is very likely this service will move forward. But that doesn't stop me
                            from voicing my opinion. I can always go back and say "I told you so" when
                            this service causes problems down the line.
                            Check out my blog on Kona issues :
                            The Kona Blog

                            Comment


                            • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                              Originally posted by Konaguy
                              As I've mentioned before, I don't like the fact this is being shoved
                              down our throats. On top of that, our harbors are already maxed
                              out. Plus on top of that, I'm not sure our roadway infrastructure
                              will be able to support all these additional cars. Lastly, there is the
                              possibility of invasive species having an easier time getting between
                              the islands.

                              Yes, it is very likely this service will move forward. But that doesn't stop me
                              from voicing my opinion. I can always go back and say "I told you so" when
                              this service causes problems down the line.

                              Oops, my mistake, the superferry project actually needs more like $210 million in financing.

                              Has it really been shoved down our throats? From what I can research on the web, annoucement of the ferry system was in 2003. But real opposition to the ferry on the account of an EIS didn't really happen till 2005. Where were these people during that time interim? If I'm missing some vital info, please fill me in.

                              As for harbor space, I thought that's where the State was supposed to come into play. Didn't they agree to do $40 mil in harbor upgrades? Maybe it's the State that's lagging.

                              Possibility of invasive species, yes. Any easier? Don't see it any easier than on a plane. The vessel won't use any ballast water so no threat of carrying marine invasive species. So I guess the main threat is what people bring with them. But as far as I understand, they will do a similar agricultural inspection like they do at the airport. So no better, no worse.

                              Comment


                              • Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 3

                                Originally posted by Miulang
                                We speculated many months ago that what Superferry wants is (...)
                                "We"? Who exactly is "we"? And specifically what insider information does "we" have in hand in order to speculate about what Superferry wants? Or is "we" just psychic? Vulcan mind-meld, perhaps? Tarot? Tea leaves? Sheesh. How utterly and completely silly.


                                That's almost as bad as the Honolulu Weakly's recent article attacking Superferry by saying that the ferry would be more expensive than flying, since flights are down to $19. What an incredibly stupid article! As if flights are going to stay at $19 once this promotion is over. Oh, and the Weakly writer also conveniently forgot to mention how very few of those $19 fares are available. DOH.

                                Of course, I'm just speculating.
                                .
                                .

                                That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

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