LINGLE ADMINISTRATION IGNORES FACTS ON SUPERFERRY
Maui News - Sunday, November 18, 2007
Kahului Harbor is renowned for being a place where you can surf inside the breakwater.
Berth 2C sits right in the path of wave-making swells churning through the entrance channel.
That’s where the Superferry barge was moored last week until it broke a chain and cable mooring and began slamming against the pier.
The state brought in the barge to allow vehicles to drive from the Superferry’s vehicle deck down to the pier. From the beginning, it was thought the barge would have to be moved during storms.
Last week’s event indicates it will have to be moved more than occasionally.
The situation is just one more example of how the state failed to think through its support for the ferry.
Due to the state administration ignoring environmental law, the $300 million operation has been sailing against a wind that has included a lawsuit, appeal to the Hawai`i Supreme Court, special session of the Legislature, weeks in Maui’s 2nd Circuit Court and months of emotional debate.
There’s one more piece of legal business to wind up.
Judge Joel August has ordered the ferry cannot put more than two vehicles a minute on Puunene Avenue to limit traffic congestion....
