HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0189.006 2004-2006
Rpr o3 DS 07: 28p D. Phillips / J. Sather 608-883--2740 p.l
~~i ~i~ „ I'i'i 1 i
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Date: April 3, 2005
To: Councilman Pete Hoffmann !Big Island County Council
Fax: 808-887-2072 Phone: 808-887-2043
From: Jeff Sather
Fax: 808-883-2740 Phone:808-883-0554
e-mail: LsacherCc~kona.net
Pages: 4 (including this page)
Subject: Mauf Resolution
Councilman Hoffmann,
I have all the faith in the world that you'll present an excellent
resolution. However, for what it's worth, this was sent to me by ones
of the folks on Maui aft®r Councilwoman Michelle Anderson
presented it to the Maui County Council.
The citizens on Maui seem to be extremely well organized and
informod, and they have been very helpful to those of us on the Big
Island who share the same concerns.
Kind regards,
~ Comm. No. I ~ 1 ~ W
Ref. To: _I'?~~
Ref. Uate APR 5 7M5
Ppr 03 OS 07:29p D. Phitlipe / J. Saeher 808-083-2780 p.2
Resolution
No. OS-46
Requesting Preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement for the
Proposed Statewide Hawaii Superferry
Project
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Superferry, in association with Austral USA, is proposing to
provide!nou-stop, roundttlp ferny services daily between the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and
Oahu, rbmmencing in 2007; and
WHEREAS, this service will provide Hawaii with the world's newest and largest
passengler vehicle catamazan, connecting the islands with a new "H4 highway", and could
transforlm the State and Maui, positively and/or negatively; and
WHEREAS, This interisland transportation system plans to expand its service by 2008
with the capability of transporting 1,732 people and 564 vehicles daily to Kahului harbor on
Maui; apd
WHEREAS, Hawaii Superferry intends to provide an efficient, environmentally friendly.
state-of the-art ferry service for passengers and vehicles between the islands at approximately
half th~price of flying [comment -not true between neighbor islands the cost would be more
than double if you add the double fare + overnight stayJ; and
'WHEREAS, this system could expand our State's transportation infrastructure and
econorgy by possibly towering the cost of travel and shipment of goods and agricultural
productis; and
!WHEREAS, although khis service promises many benefits to Maui's residents, it could
also create or exacerbate existing problems for Maui's Waal environment and
'IWH1rREAS, Chapter 343 of Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), Environmental Impact
Statements, requires the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or Environmental
impactiStatement far any proposed action that utilizes State lands or State funds; and
~ WHEREAS, the National $nvironmental Policy Act requires an Environmental Impact
Stateme=nt for the use of Federal Funds, includiug requests for appropriations; and
i VU1;ER,EAS, State lands and State funds, includiuag $40 million currently being requested
as the ljne-item appropriation in the Srate Harbors Administration budget will be utilized for
barges land ramps to facilitate Idading and unloading of passengers and vehicles on the
Superferry, ana
WHEREAS, $140 million of public fiords from the Title Xl Federal Maritime Loan
(3uararitee Program is being utilized for financing of the Superferey system; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Transportation, Harbors Division, has exempted the
Hawaii Superferry from the required envlrorrmental review pursuant to HRS Chapter 343 under
Class 6 of its Comprehensive Exemption list, which exempts "Construction of placement of
minor structures accessory to existing facilities"; and
Rpr o3 OS 07:29p D- Phillips / J. Sacker 808-683-2740 p.a
WHEREAS, Section S of Class 6 further defines this exemption class as' Alteration or
addition of improvements with associated utilities, which are incidental to existing harbor and
boat tamp operations, in accordance with the master plans that have met the requirements of
Chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes"; and
WHEREAS, the master plan for Kahului Harbor does not include plans for a Statewide
ferry system; therefore, it does not appear that the Class 6 exemption qualifies the Superferry for
exemption from environmental impact review; and
WHEREAS, no plans have been presented to mitigate the ctmtulative itztpact to the
hazbor and its access roadways of the potential Sti4 cars exiting and entering daily for transport
on the Superferty, or for the potential 1,000-plus cars arriving daily with departing travelers,
many of whom will need a place to park their car while traveling on the Superferry; and
WHEREAS, many other potential impacts have not been addressed or mitigated with
sound plans available for public review that provide a thorough and methodical discussion of
impacts and the ldemification and implementation of ways to prevent or mitigate the negative
impacts; and
WHEREAS, the Kattai Count Counci] unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2005-15,
entitled "RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT BE PREPARED ON THE HAWAII SUPERFERRY", on January 2ti; 2005; and
WHEREAS, it is not the Council's intention. in the absence of convincing analysis, to
stop or obstruct the $uperferty; rather, it is Ute intention of the Council to protect Maui's land and
people Crom environmental and social degradation by encouraging a proper planning and review
process that would prevertt or mitigate the Superferry's potential negative impacts to an
acceptable level; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Maui:
l . That it hereby requests the State Department of Transportation, Harbors
Division, to prepare a joint Federal/State environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) prioz to cOtitmencement of the Hawaii Superferry operation to
idemify and address potential adverse imparts of this new interisland
transportation service to Maui; and
2. That certified copies ofthis resolution be transmitted to the Honorable
Linda Lingle, Governor of the State of Hawaii; John E- Cole, Executive
Director, Division of Consumer Advocacy, State Department Of
Commerce and Consumer Affairs; the State Department of Transportation,
Harbors Division; the State Department of Agriculture, Quarantine
Division; the Maui County Delegation to the State Legislature; the Hawaii
Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable john McCain,
United States Senator; Don Reeser, Superintendent, Haleakala National
park; the Hawaii County Couucil; the Honolulu City Council; the Kauai
County Council; the Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor ofthe City and
County of Honolulu; the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor for the County of
Hawaii; the Honorable Alan Arakawa, Mayor of the Cotmty of Maui;
Timothy W. Dick, Chairman, Hawaii Supezferry; John Garibaldi, CEO,
Hawaii Superferry; Greg Metcalf, EDO Austral USA; the Hawaii Wildlife
Fund: the Hawaiian Cance Club; the Kahului Harbor Coalition; Matson
Rpr ?3 OS 07:29p D. Phillips / J. Sather 90H-893-274? P•4
Navigation Company; the Maui Invasive Species committee; the Na Ka
'Ewa(u Canoe Club, Pacific VVhalc Foundation; the Sierra Club, klawaii
Chapter; and Youtlg brothers, Limited