Aloha Good Friend
Political Blunder
This article in the Honolulu Advertiser tells the story, but fails to mention my feelings. I never rode the Superferry during its short stay in Hawaii, and possibly never would have. Three hours is just too long for me to spend getting from one island to another when I can fly in 20 minutes. In spite of that, I was moved close to tears when I looked out from my lanai on Saturday to see the Superferry heading out of town for the last time. Its sad energy reached all the way up to where I was standing. We used to watch it sail proudly by every day on it’s journey to and from Maui, but this time the direction was different as was the feeling. It had its tail between its legs, beaten down one last time by the Hawaii political machine.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:02 am
Ron,
I rode the superferry a few times. Once we brought all of our equipment over in two cars for two installations we did on Maui. It did take long, but it was incredibly relaxing. It was a great opportunity to forget about everything for a few hours. Like a three hour vacation.
This is one of the biggest blunders on all sides that I can imagine. I think the environmentalists and the Supreme Court and the most to blame. If the Superferry had been given not been given the free pass they would have done what they needed to on the environmental end. The government was trying to get the people another option for travel. Shame on the government for trying to help out the people.
The Superferry did everything they could to be responsible citizens. I was amazed at the steps they took to satisfy the environment concerns.
In the end, the demands of very small, very vocal minority won out.
Way too often in today’s world the does the government (in this case the supreme court) bow to the demands of a small vocal minority.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:51 am
BASTARDS!!!
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Aloha
the hawaii political machine was what forced this ferry upon us. these owners were not hawaiian or even americans, and only saw a way to make money here and take it home. wrapped our govenor around their agenda, she broke our laws to allow this. we will continue to pay for these ferrys long after they are gone. we will stand united on big island and continue to fight big business and our govenor when they break laws, not in the intrest of the people, but in the intrest of lining their pockets. please get clear on this! we the people of the hawaiian nation are not a small vocal minority, we are the voice of the people, and are being heard.