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Ferry will not close harbor
by Amanda C. Gregg - THE GARDEN ISLAND
NAWILIWILI — The Coast Guard will not shut down the harbor upon the Hawaii Superferry’s return, it will require that those aboard watercraft get its permission to enter and exit, an official said yesterday.
Though there is no scheduled return to Kaua‘i, the Hawaii Superferry begins service Thursday to Maui. Both Neighbor Islands are under temporary security zone rules pertaining specifically to the “Alakai,” said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. John Titchen.
Under the rule, surfers and swimmers are not allowed in the harbor as the Superferry unloads and loads.
“We have heard concerns that people won’t be able to surf, or access shoreline to fish,” Titchen said. “Our intention is to work with the state and county ensuring everyone has the opportunity to use that harbor.”
Those manning watercraft while the ferry is in the harbor will have to seek and gain permission to exit and return, he said.
Voicing concern over whether the resumption of service would affect their earnings or quality of life, several fishermen said they were concerned the harbor was going to be closed.
Darrin Auger, a charter fisherman, said he was relieved that wasn’t the case, but said in recent years, when the cruise ships began entering at Nawiliwili Harbor, security and the clogging of harbor traffic was a large concern. If that proves to be the case, that could adversely affect business, he said.
Officially, the Coast Guard says part of the temporary security zone permission could be as simple as a “radio-OK” when coming and going.
During the security zone enforcement period, the Coast Guard will request that all watercraft — including outrigger canoes — get permission by radio.
The Coast Guard will have at least one boat in the harbor during the unloading and boarding of the Superferry, he said.
Under usual circumstances, all 400-foot-plus vessels are subject to security zones that are 100 yards, Titchen said; however, temporary security zones can be put into effect for emergency purposes.
Whether recreational uses such as surfing, swimming or canoeing will ever resume and coincide with the Superferry visits remains to be seen, as it will be reviewed after several passages of the vessel.
Reiterating that the temporary security zone is, in fact, just that — “temporary,” Titchen said it’s an important tool for enforcing law at the federal, state and county levels.
“There is a misperception this is a permanent security zone and it’s never going to be changed,” he said. “Eventually, hopefully soon, it will be scaled back.”
Though Hawaii Superferry hasn’t announced plans to return to Kaua‘i, it could at any point, and a temporary security zone has been in effect for several months.
The present zone extends to the end of December, Titchen said, and can be renewed into perpetuity for 30-day periods every first of the month.
“At any time the Coast Guard can modify (a temporary security zone) and we could again go back to 100 yards,” he said. “The intention is for the Coast Guard to have authority to enforce that zone and detain or arrest or better-prevent people from entering that zone,” he said.
That status can be lifted, but it relies on several successful vessel transits first, he said.
The penalties for violating a federal temporary security zone is up to 10 years in prison and up to $32,500 in fines.
Many of those arrested during Kaua‘i’s mass protests in late August preventing the Hawaii Superferry from docking were fined for misdemeanors, up to $2,000.
Several of those arrested were swimmers, surfers and paddlers who were protesting in the water.
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
Though there is no scheduled return to Kaua‘i, the Hawaii Superferry begins service Thursday to Maui. Both Neighbor Islands are under temporary security zone rules pertaining specifically to the “Alakai,” said Coast Guard spokesman Lt. John Titchen.
Under the rule, surfers and swimmers are not allowed in the harbor as the Superferry unloads and loads.
“We have heard concerns that people won’t be able to surf, or access shoreline to fish,” Titchen said. “Our intention is to work with the state and county ensuring everyone has the opportunity to use that harbor.”
Those manning watercraft while the ferry is in the harbor will have to seek and gain permission to exit and return, he said.
Voicing concern over whether the resumption of service would affect their earnings or quality of life, several fishermen said they were concerned the harbor was going to be closed.
Darrin Auger, a charter fisherman, said he was relieved that wasn’t the case, but said in recent years, when the cruise ships began entering at Nawiliwili Harbor, security and the clogging of harbor traffic was a large concern. If that proves to be the case, that could adversely affect business, he said.
Officially, the Coast Guard says part of the temporary security zone permission could be as simple as a “radio-OK” when coming and going.
During the security zone enforcement period, the Coast Guard will request that all watercraft — including outrigger canoes — get permission by radio.
The Coast Guard will have at least one boat in the harbor during the unloading and boarding of the Superferry, he said.
Under usual circumstances, all 400-foot-plus vessels are subject to security zones that are 100 yards, Titchen said; however, temporary security zones can be put into effect for emergency purposes.
Whether recreational uses such as surfing, swimming or canoeing will ever resume and coincide with the Superferry visits remains to be seen, as it will be reviewed after several passages of the vessel.
Reiterating that the temporary security zone is, in fact, just that — “temporary,” Titchen said it’s an important tool for enforcing law at the federal, state and county levels.
“There is a misperception this is a permanent security zone and it’s never going to be changed,” he said. “Eventually, hopefully soon, it will be scaled back.”
Though Hawaii Superferry hasn’t announced plans to return to Kaua‘i, it could at any point, and a temporary security zone has been in effect for several months.
The present zone extends to the end of December, Titchen said, and can be renewed into perpetuity for 30-day periods every first of the month.
“At any time the Coast Guard can modify (a temporary security zone) and we could again go back to 100 yards,” he said. “The intention is for the Coast Guard to have authority to enforce that zone and detain or arrest or better-prevent people from entering that zone,” he said.
That status can be lifted, but it relies on several successful vessel transits first, he said.
The penalties for violating a federal temporary security zone is up to 10 years in prison and up to $32,500 in fines.
Many of those arrested during Kaua‘i’s mass protests in late August preventing the Hawaii Superferry from docking were fined for misdemeanors, up to $2,000.
Several of those arrested were swimmers, surfers and paddlers who were protesting in the water.
• Amanda C. Gregg, assistant editor/staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or agregg@kauaipubco.com.
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candyrosh wrote on Jun 10, 2009 10:21 PM:
" “The burial treatment plan is very flawed,” Huff said. “It is a clear violation of our rights as indigenous people.”
“We will be staying until further notice and until the state of Hawai�i acknowledges the property was fraudulently sold to Brescia,” Huff said.
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candyrosh
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camper trailer--camper trailer "
“We will be staying until further notice and until the state of Hawai�i acknowledges the property was fraudulently sold to Brescia,” Huff said.
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candyrosh
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camper trailer--camper trailer "
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victor2008 wrote on Oct 31, 2008 12:01 AM:
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Victor
Addiction Rehabs "