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Superferry petition delivery thwarted
by J.M. Buck - Special to the Garden Island
HONOLULU — Gov. Linda Lingle and officials of Hawaii Superferry would probably breathe a sigh of relief if Neighbor Island residents who have been demanding Environmental Impact Statements would just go away.
That’s not going to happen any time soon.
A week ago today, a public meeting arranged by state Sen. Gary Hooser and Superferry watchdog group People for the Preservation of Kaua‘i was held at the Capitol building in Honolulu. Presentations were made by nine representatives from islands to be impacted by the Superferry.
Among the presenters were Hooser, former Kaua‘i police chief and County Council candidate K.C. Lum, Maui orchid farmer Jeff Parker, and Dick Mayer, a retired economics professor, also from Maui.
“There is an up-side to having a ferry service and a down-side,” said Ted Kawahinehelelani Blake, who has first-hand familiarity with the impacts of a roll-on, roll-off ferry service. The Kauai-born Blake resides on Mo‘orea in French Polynesia, where four “fast ferries” transport passengers and vehicles between Tahiti and Mo‘orea.
Blake said that weekends bring an influx of Tahiti residents to Mo‘orea. Though the economic importance of the ferries is obvious, Blake says that Mo‘orea residents have paid a high price.
“Criminals rob homes and businesses then catch the last ferry out,” said Blake. “Invasive species are reported weeks after they have shown up. Surf spots and roadways are jammed. Campgrounds are trashed. No more spur of the moment with Dad coming home and saying ‘Let’s go camping tomorrow.’ Camping permits will need to be applied for a year in advance.”
Hooser feels that DOT’s and the Lingle administration’s refusal to acknowledge the need for an EIS is unacceptable.
“Many believe that this will change the way of life on the Neighbor Islands, and it may very well do that,” Hooser said. “I think it outrageous and irresponsible that the governor and the transportation board came to this conclusion. I think the governor and DOT need to step up to the plate and do what is right.”
Though Lingle was invited to attend the meeting, she declined due to a previously scheduled appearance in Kona.
Kaua‘i residents Rich Hoeppner and his wife, Judie Hilke-Lundborg, have collected over 6,000 signatures urging Lingle to postpone HSF’s operations until EISs are conducted. The majority of signatures were obtained on Kaua‘i and reflect approximately 20 percent of the island’s adult population.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Randy Iwase has also jumped aboard the EIS bandwagon, and has signed the petition.
The morning following the meeting at the capitol, six representatives from Maui and Kaua‘i — including Hoeppner and Hilke-Lundborg — went to the governor’s office to present the 3-inch-thick stack of signed petitions directly to Lingle. Though the governor was there, the group was denied.
“There is a procedure on how to meet with the governor,” Kau‘i Alapa, the receptionist in the governor’s office, informed Hoeppner.
Hoeppner had met Lingle at a Kaua‘i farm rally in July. At Lingle’s request, Hoeppner and Hilke-Lundborg sent a letter on Aug. 1 to the governor stating their concerns about the Superferry.
After receiving no response, the couple twice formally requested an audience with Lingle through the governor’s Web site. Both requests were made with an obligatory 45-day advance notice. Both requests were denied.
“I don’t make those decisions, the governor does,” Alapa said to Hoeppner. “She reviews it and decides what she wants to do. It’s her schedule.”
When the group requested five minutes of time with a senior staffer, Alapa informed them that the senior staffers were unavailable.
“If you came into my house unexpected, would you expect me to give you the time of day?” Alapa said.
“(Some) 6,000 people have concerns and she can’t meet with us for five minutes,” Hoeppner said. “To me, that’s one of two things — irresponsible or untruthful.”
Shortly after being turned away from the governor’s office, the couple sought help at Iwase’s office. According to Hoeppner, Iwase was appalled and immediately issued a press release.
“A governor is a governor of all the people,” Iwase states in his release. “Whether you agree with a person’s position or not, it is unacceptable to refuse to allow citizens with a grievance to be shunned at the door and sent packing. To not even allow them to hand the petition to a staff member is the epitome of governmental arrogance.”
“Despite the media image of a governor welcoming the citizens with open arms, she is in fact not open to those who share views which differ from hers. It is time for those who will not tolerate such actions to stand up and themselves take action. I could not stand by and let the voices of these individuals go unheard,” Iwase’s statement continued.
“We have done everything we know of to talk with her,” said Hilke-Lundborg. “Is she the governor of Hawai‘i or the governor of O‘ahu?”
• J.M. Buck is a Maui-based freelance writer.
That’s not going to happen any time soon.
A week ago today, a public meeting arranged by state Sen. Gary Hooser and Superferry watchdog group People for the Preservation of Kaua‘i was held at the Capitol building in Honolulu. Presentations were made by nine representatives from islands to be impacted by the Superferry.
Among the presenters were Hooser, former Kaua‘i police chief and County Council candidate K.C. Lum, Maui orchid farmer Jeff Parker, and Dick Mayer, a retired economics professor, also from Maui.
“There is an up-side to having a ferry service and a down-side,” said Ted Kawahinehelelani Blake, who has first-hand familiarity with the impacts of a roll-on, roll-off ferry service. The Kauai-born Blake resides on Mo‘orea in French Polynesia, where four “fast ferries” transport passengers and vehicles between Tahiti and Mo‘orea.
Blake said that weekends bring an influx of Tahiti residents to Mo‘orea. Though the economic importance of the ferries is obvious, Blake says that Mo‘orea residents have paid a high price.
“Criminals rob homes and businesses then catch the last ferry out,” said Blake. “Invasive species are reported weeks after they have shown up. Surf spots and roadways are jammed. Campgrounds are trashed. No more spur of the moment with Dad coming home and saying ‘Let’s go camping tomorrow.’ Camping permits will need to be applied for a year in advance.”
Hooser feels that DOT’s and the Lingle administration’s refusal to acknowledge the need for an EIS is unacceptable.
“Many believe that this will change the way of life on the Neighbor Islands, and it may very well do that,” Hooser said. “I think it outrageous and irresponsible that the governor and the transportation board came to this conclusion. I think the governor and DOT need to step up to the plate and do what is right.”
Though Lingle was invited to attend the meeting, she declined due to a previously scheduled appearance in Kona.
Kaua‘i residents Rich Hoeppner and his wife, Judie Hilke-Lundborg, have collected over 6,000 signatures urging Lingle to postpone HSF’s operations until EISs are conducted. The majority of signatures were obtained on Kaua‘i and reflect approximately 20 percent of the island’s adult population.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Randy Iwase has also jumped aboard the EIS bandwagon, and has signed the petition.
The morning following the meeting at the capitol, six representatives from Maui and Kaua‘i — including Hoeppner and Hilke-Lundborg — went to the governor’s office to present the 3-inch-thick stack of signed petitions directly to Lingle. Though the governor was there, the group was denied.
“There is a procedure on how to meet with the governor,” Kau‘i Alapa, the receptionist in the governor’s office, informed Hoeppner.
Hoeppner had met Lingle at a Kaua‘i farm rally in July. At Lingle’s request, Hoeppner and Hilke-Lundborg sent a letter on Aug. 1 to the governor stating their concerns about the Superferry.
After receiving no response, the couple twice formally requested an audience with Lingle through the governor’s Web site. Both requests were made with an obligatory 45-day advance notice. Both requests were denied.
“I don’t make those decisions, the governor does,” Alapa said to Hoeppner. “She reviews it and decides what she wants to do. It’s her schedule.”
When the group requested five minutes of time with a senior staffer, Alapa informed them that the senior staffers were unavailable.
“If you came into my house unexpected, would you expect me to give you the time of day?” Alapa said.
“(Some) 6,000 people have concerns and she can’t meet with us for five minutes,” Hoeppner said. “To me, that’s one of two things — irresponsible or untruthful.”
Shortly after being turned away from the governor’s office, the couple sought help at Iwase’s office. According to Hoeppner, Iwase was appalled and immediately issued a press release.
“A governor is a governor of all the people,” Iwase states in his release. “Whether you agree with a person’s position or not, it is unacceptable to refuse to allow citizens with a grievance to be shunned at the door and sent packing. To not even allow them to hand the petition to a staff member is the epitome of governmental arrogance.”
“Despite the media image of a governor welcoming the citizens with open arms, she is in fact not open to those who share views which differ from hers. It is time for those who will not tolerate such actions to stand up and themselves take action. I could not stand by and let the voices of these individuals go unheard,” Iwase’s statement continued.
“We have done everything we know of to talk with her,” said Hilke-Lundborg. “Is she the governor of Hawai‘i or the governor of O‘ahu?”
• J.M. Buck is a Maui-based freelance writer.
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| Anti-ice law rolled out this week |
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Kapahiresident wrote on Sep 26, 2009 6:56 AM:
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Saturday Opening Ceremonies Noon
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Come join us in dancing with our Native American friends.
Let's dance in our circle together from 5 to 7 pm Saturday Night.
Sunday 10 am to 5pm
Pow Wow at Kapaa Beach Park by Kapaa Library
Bring your whole family! No alcohol or drugs allowed.
Free Admission "
Saturday Gates Open 11 am
Saturday Opening Ceremonies Noon
Saturday Evening Social Dancing for All 5 pm to 7 pm
Come join us in dancing with our Native American friends.
Let's dance in our circle together from 5 to 7 pm Saturday Night.
Sunday 10 am to 5pm
Pow Wow at Kapaa Beach Park by Kapaa Library
Bring your whole family! No alcohol or drugs allowed.
Free Admission "
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Juan 3imtiaco wrote on Jul 14, 2009 12:37 PM:
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