By Associated Press
Honolulu HI – The Hawaii Superferry on Tuesday suspended operations at the request of Gov. Linda Lingle, who says she's worried about public safety.
Company officials said the Coast Guard, contrary to previous assurances, can no longer guarantee a safe passage for its 350-foot vessel and passengers in and out of Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai, where environmental protesters in the water blocked it's docking late Monday. A court order sought by opponents already has halted service to Maui, with a hearing set for Wednesday.
"Hawaii Superferry will suspend service until the U.S. Coast Guard notifies management it is safe to use the harbor facilities at Nawiliwili," the company said in a statement.
Lingle said she was concerned by protests Monday night on Kauai that led to 11 arrests after about 65 people on surfboards, canoes and kayaks formed a human blockade and forced the $95 million Superferry to turn back to Honolulu. Opponents say the ferry endangers whales, threatens to spread invasive species and will worsen traffic and pollution.
"I'm disappointed the Superferry is not up and running," said Lingle, a ferry supporter who said most Hawaii residents want a new interisland transportation option.
Lingle wouldn't comment on any future voyages for Hawaii's first car and passenger ferry.
The ferry named Alakai was stalled outside Nawiliwili Harbor on Monday for nearly three hours as Coast Guard vessels, including an 85-foot cutter, failed to clear the way for the ship.
The ferry returned to Honolulu about midnight and some passengers, who had paid a discounted $5 fare for the voyage, were put in hotels and given vouchers for future travel.
Earlier Monday, a state judge ruled the Superferry couldn't use Kahului Harbor on Maui, supporting a challenge by three environmentalist organizations.
The groups sought the temporary restraining order to halt the Superferry from using the harbor until an environmental assessment is conducted. The order does not affect ports on Oahu or Kauai.
Superferry officials have said the ship's water jet propulsion system means there are no exposed propellers to strike aquatic animals.
Lingle said it's unfair that the Superferry is being singled out when cruise ships, cargo carriers and other vessels have not been required to conduct environmental reviews.
"We've never required an environmental assessment on one vessel in our state's history," said Lingle, who added that she had no regrets over her strong backing of the Superferry.
Superferry officials have said they hope to return full service from Oahu to Maui and Kauai after Wednesday, when Maui Circuit Judge Joseph E. Cardoza will hear arguments on a request for a preliminary injunction that would further delay the service.
The Superferry started trips on Sunday, two days ahead of schedule, after the state Supreme Court ruled last week that the state should have required an environmental assessment before the ferry launched. State transportation officials, noting that the court didn't explicitly say the ship couldn't run, allowed the service to start.
Lingle said the high court's ruling "opens up all kinds of questions" for future state-funded improvements, including at airports.
The Coast Guard, who earlier stated it would enforce a 100-yard security zone around the catamaran, has been ineffective in moving away protesters in the water.
Coast Guard Lt. John Titchen said the first priority was to ensure the safety of the people in the water and on the vessel, so in that regard, "We consider the U.S. Coast Guard's involvement yesterday very successful. No one was hurt."
State Sen. Gary Hooser, a Kauai Democrat, demanded that ferry operations be halted until the environmental report is completed.
"The situation as it now stands is intolerable and fast approaching a point where serious injuries and further arrests are likely," Hooser said.
For decades, the only way to travel among the islands where an estimated 1.3 million people live and tens of thousands of tourists arrive each day was by the local airlines. Austal USA, which built the ferry in Mobile, Ala., is also building a second scheduled to serve the Big Island starting in 2009.
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