Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

[joshuatree]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

And maybe a plan G would in case they can not sail to other ports in the state would be using the SuperFerry as a dinner cruise ship, based out of Oahu. You don't have to worry about leaving behind your car at the pier since it will be on the ship as well when you have your dinner.

Oahu's rail on water!!!

One boat to do Kapolei to downtown. The other to do windward to downtown.

[helen]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

i am sure that the legal eagles at SF have anticipated this ruling for some time.

lets get the EIS and move forward.

For all we know the folks at the SuperFerry may have already drafted their EIS for just in case.

i am also sure that the folks at SF also have plans C,D,E and F ready to go.

And maybe a plan G would in case they can not sail to other ports in the state would be using the SuperFerry as a dinner cruise ship, based out of Oahu. You don't have to worry about leaving behind your car at the pier since it will be on the ship as well when you have your dinner.

[Miulang]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

According to this Appendix to the Superferry application for certification before the PUC, there were no existing harbor facilities in Kahului, Nawiliwili or Kawaihae to accommodate HSF. So the DOT was working with HSF to guarantee that there would be facilities available by the time HSF was ready to sail. (See Sec. C on page 6: "Use of State Harbor Facilities")

Miulang

[LikaNui]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

Must take airplane back... unless they have WIFI!

They do. You perhaps missed seeing the posts here about a week ago when Miulang accused the SuperFerry of not having WIFI... then I pointed out they do indeed have it... then Miulang tried to take credit for the idea and implied (very ridiculously) that SuperFerry installed a whole WIFI system overnight just because of her.
Kinda explains why so many people here are really really tired of her posts, yeah?
Anyway, yes, SuperFerry has WIFI. Sorry I don't recall the post number where I gave the specifics on it.

Oh, and are they wheel chair accessible?

Absolutely! They're very very accomodating that way and have gotten lots of compliments.

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

Does NCL/YB/Matson not use state or county lands? So doesn't that subject them to an EIS?

And the 40 million for HSF use. Is it exclusive or just simply HSF being the only sole user? I know it sounds like semantics but it makes all the difference in the world. If Clone Ferry comes to town, does HSF have sole use of the barges?

I'm not sure what the land arrangement is between the State of Hawaii and YB/Matson/NCL. But I would venture to say that they are either leasing land from the state of Hawaii or own their land outright. I'm not sure if that information is even available online.

As for the 40 million in taxpayer funds being used for harbor infrastructure. Again, I'm not sure exactly what the arrangement between the state and
HSF is. I'm not aware of any of the agreements being posted online.I do know this though, it would be very unlikely another company would want to use
these barges if HSF goes belly up. So I look at it that this tax money is primarily benefiting HSF.

[joshuatree]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

Let me make it easy for you. The State of Hawaii has provided 40 million to build harbor infrastructure for HSF's exclusive use. Matson, NCL, or YB never received taxpayer subsidies to build their harbor infrastructure. Hence why its not hypocritcal that YB/NCL/Matson is exempted from doing a EIS, but HSF is not. If HSF built their harbor infrastructure itself, the environmentalists would not have a leg to stand on legally.

Per what you posted in #520.

§343-5 Applicability and requirements. (a) Except as otherwise provided, an environmental assessment shall be required for actions that:

"(1) Propose the use of state or county lands or the use of state or county funds, other than funds to be used for feasibility or planning studies for possible future programs or projects that the agency has not approved, adopted, or funded, or funds to be used for the acquisition of unimproved real property; provided that the agency shall consider environmental factors and available alternatives in its feasibility or planning studies; provided further that an environmental assessment for proposed uses under section 205-2(d)(9) or [205-4.5(a)(13)] shall only be required pursuant to section 205-5(b);"

Does NCL/YB/Matson not use state or county lands? So doesn't that subject them to an EIS?

And the 40 million for HSF use. Is it exclusive or just simply HSF being the only sole user? I know it sounds like semantics but it makes all the difference in the world. If Clone Ferry comes to town, does HSF have sole use of the barges?

[LikaNui]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

take your patience along because it might take you an hour to get off Pier 2.

Or it might NOT. Unless you're clairvoyant, you really don't know that for a fact, and you're just guessing. As usual.

Even with a rent-a-cop directing traffic, there will be a bias toward letting the traffic on Kaahumanu/Puunene Ave have the right of way.

Really? Did some secret inside source call you in Seattle and swear to you that there would be that "bias"? Or are you, you know... guessing again?

And this is the first time I've ever seen any State agency work so fast to comply with a court order

You expected them to take months or years to just paint a few new stripes in the road there?
And gee, that state agency moving fast must mean that the state wants the SuperFerry.
Imagine that.

[Miulang]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

The Office of Environmental Quality Control, which is a department within the Dept. of Health, is the State body that ultimately decides what has to be included in any EIS or EA.

By law, certain other State agencies have on file with this department a list of exceptions. The Dept. of Transportation has an exception filed. The part of this exception that allowed the DOT to claim that there was no need for the EIS is in Exemption Class 6 ("Construction or placement of minor structures accessory to existing facilities"), #8.

Alterations or improvements and associated utilities, which are incidental to existing and boat ramp operations, in accordance with master plans that have met with the requirements of chapter 343, Hawai'i Revised Statutes. Such improvements include concessions, comfort stations, pavilions, paving, rockwalls, fencings, walkways, loading docks, warehouses, piers, offices, container freight stations, cranes, fuel lines, lighting, sprinkler and drainage systems.

However, at the very bottom of this exception, is this note:

Pursuant to Sec. 11-200-8 (b) Hawai'i Administrative Rules, all exemptions under this list are inapplicable when the cumulative impact of planned successive actions of the same type, in the same place, over time, is significant, or when an action that is normally insignificant in its impact on the environment may be significant in a particularly sensitive environment.

Miulang

[Konaguy]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

Are you telling me that NCL/YB/Matson all use their own personal facilities? This is where the argument about EAs and EISs look hypocritical. I'm willing to bet if an EIS was ever conducted on these operations, they probably grade a lot worse than HSF. And the whole grandfather argument is BS, if the environment is really the point of all this argument, all of them should be subjected. Otherwise, why did car manufacturers have to bother moving from R12 refrigerants to R134a? One can easily argue grandfathered in as well.

Let me make it easy for you. The State of Hawaii has provided 40 million to build harbor infrastructure for HSF's exclusive use. Matson, NCL, or YB never received taxpayer subsidies to build their harbor infrastructure. Hence why its not hypocritcal that YB/NCL/Matson is exempted from doing a EIS, but HSF is not. If HSF built their harbor infrastructure itself, the environmentalists would not have a leg to stand on legally.

[joshuatree]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

So let's consider worst case scenario, HSF gets shut down till an EIS gets done which could mean years. Any recourse for HSF in Hawaii? What if they realigned their business to simply shipping transport, a competitor to YB? No pax, just faster and easier (roll-on/roll-off) cargo shipping. Are they then subjected to an EIS?

[Miulang]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

This is kind of interesting...one of the reasons why HSF may be offering the $5 OW fares is because of this statement made by Terry O'Halloran in this morning's Maui News about the number of reservations already taken for the original inaugural trip to Maui on Sept. 5:

O’Halloran said he did not know exactly how many reservations had been made for the original starting day of Tuesday, but he thought it was “under 100.”

And Orenstein commends HSF for its pricing tactics, but isn't planning to lower go!s fares any lower than they already are.

Miulang

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

Then expect more of the same.

[Miulang]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

1. I don't moderate this section of the board. Only the Hawaii Media.
2. I and many others on this board absolutely hate it when you talk down to us telling us "you should do this" "you should do that" while you don't walk the walk with us in Hawaii. People have reminded you about this over and over. Still you do the same.
3. I don't care if you have contacts or not. Just the simple fact that you are living so far away from us and constantly talk down to us is disgusting.
4. And again you are telling me what to do. Get off your high horse!

As PJ says; "AINOKEA".

Miulang

[mel]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

It's NOT all based on the web. Believe it or not, I still have contacts on Maui who are well connected in the community. And as an HT moderator, Mel, aren't you supposed to be a little less biased?

Miulang

1. I don't moderate this section of the board. Only the Hawaii Media.
2. I and many others on this board absolutely hate it when you talk down to us telling us "you should do this" "you should do that" while you don't walk the walk with us in Hawaii. People have reminded you about this over and over. Still you do the same.
3. I don't care if you have contacts or not. Just the simple fact that you are living so far away from us and constantly talk down to us is disgusting.
4. And again you are telling me what to do. Get off your high horse!

[Miulang]

Re: Hawai'i Superferry - Chapter 4

You telling me what to do all the way from your lofty, cold perch in Seattle??? You don't live in Hawaii.

The wackos want to stop the Superferry from operating. That's the gist I get by watching the news report on LOCAL TV last night that you don't get out there in SEATTLE. Everything you post about are based on web info and nothing else because of your location.

You cannot be as intimately involved with Hawaii issues by being so damn far away. You are not paying our taxes, you are not living here. Two short visits a year don't count until you get permanent residence, pay our taxes 365 days a year and vote in our state. Otherwise you are just a poor, lame armchair quarterback calling the shots from out of state.

The wackos want to shut down the ferry plain and simple. Sierra Club and the 2 others on that legal complaint.

Go take care of your local issues in Seattle and let Hawaii people mind theirs.

It's NOT all based on the web. Believe it or not, I still have contacts on Maui who are well connected in the community. And as an HT moderator, Mel, aren't you supposed to be a little less biased?

Miulang