OFFICIALS BOOED & HECKLED OVER SUPERFERRY
Honolulu Advertiser - Friday, September 21, 2007
LIHU`E, Kaua`i — Gov. Linda Lingle tried to calm tensions over the Hawai`i Superferry at a raucous public meeting last night where she was interrupted by boos, hecklers and scattered profanities.
Most of the people in the standing-room-only crowd of more than 1,100 at the Kaua`i War Memorial were opposed to the Superferry and predicted more protests when the ferry returns Wednesday....
"EIS, EIS, EIS," the crowd stood and chanted at the start of the meeting....
Many speakers said the state should wait until courts on Maui and Kaua`i act on legal challenges to the Superferry before authorizing resumed service to Nawiliwili Harbor.
"We call on you, we count on you to choose life and righteousness," said Kaua`i County Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura.
Lingle drew more boos when she said the decision to allow the Superferry to return to Kaua`i has already been made, and she just wanted to hear residents' concerns about a planned federal security zone at the harbor and other issues....
With Lingle standing behind a podium on stage, speaker after speaker criticized all aspects of the Superferry — from the state's initial policy decision to exempt the Superferry from an environmental assessment to broader accusations that the administration appeared to be favoring corporate interests over the people of the island.
Andrea Brower of Anahola asked the governor if she feels justified in threatening protesters with arrest and prosecution for standing up to the ferry.
Brower's question received a rousing ovation....
State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, said he hopes the Coast Guard and the state delays resuming service next week.
"It would be very poor judgment on their part to force the issue," he said. "I would encourage them to wait for the Kaua`i and Maui courts to decide one way or the other...."
