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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 432 46
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE COMMENCEMENT OF SERVICE OF THE HAWAII
SUPERFERRY AT KAWAIHAE HARBOR UNTIL ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED.
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Superferry (HSF) is scheduled to commence service between the
islands of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai in July 2007 and add service to the port of Kawaihae on Hawaii
Island in early 2009; and
WHEREAS, Kawaihae Harbor is the only commercial harbor on the west side of the Island
of Hawaii and is an important lifeline for goods, supplies, equipment, agricultural products, and
vehicles to and from West Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, Kawaihae Harbor currently has inadequate infrastructure to accommodate
existing users and the HSF operation, and it is unlikely that necessary modifications to Kawaihae
Harbor will be in place by the projected date for commencement of HSF services; and
WHEREAS, there is no master plan to deal with aging harbor facilities at Kawaihae, as
these facilities come under pressure from steadily rising volumes of cargo and numbers of
vessels vying to use limited harbor space, and no master planning process for Kawaihae Harbor
is proposed by the State Department of Transportation prior to HSF's scheduled commencement
of services; and
WHEREAS, the operations of HSF at Kawaihae Harbor will result in the displacement of
existing space occupied by the inter-island shipping company, Young Brothers, Limited (YBL); and
WHEREAS, the reduced space at Kawaihae Harbor may necessitate reduction in services by
YBL, including possible discontinuance of its less than full container load service which would
adversely affect a number of businesses on Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, questions remain regarding the impacts of the HSF operation on existing harbor
users, traffic circulation at Kawaihae Harbor, and the environment of Hawaii Island; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Transportation does not plan an Environmental Impact
Statement as requested by Hawaii County Council Resolution No. 68-05, Draft 2, adopted on May 4,
2005; and
WHEREAS, HSF may contribute to the spread of invasive species such as coqui Frogs,
fire ants, mongooses, stinging nettles, and fireweed, since current plans allow only one hour to
inspect baggage for approximately 866 passengers and numerous vehicles (up to 282 cars, or 28
trucks and/or buses plus 65 cars); and
WHEREAS, injury or death to whales from HSF operations has been raised as a serious
concern by the Pacific Whale Foundation and by various scientific experts; and
WHEREAS, the Kawaihae landing site may be inaccessible for half the year due to high surf;
and
WHEREAS, HSF visitors may overburden limited recreational resources such as
beaches, surf and diving sites, and parks.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAII that the proposed commencement of operations of the Hawaii Superferry at
Kawaihae Harbor be postponed, pending preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 343 and construction of necessary improvements
to adequately accommodate current harbor users and the Hawaii Superferry.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward certified copies of
this resolution to the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor of the State of Hawaii; the State
Department of Transportation; the Hawaii Congressional delegation; the Speaker of the State
House; the President of the State Senate; the Hawaii Island delegation to the State Legislature;
the County Councils of Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu; the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor of
the County of Hawaii; the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Superferry; and the
President of Young Brothers, Limited.
Dated at ,Hawaii, this day of , 2006.
DUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNT O HAWA I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai `i AvES NOES A s Ex
Hilo, HaWal`1 ARAKAKI
IIIGA
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFF'MANN
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the HOLSCHUtI
County of Hawaii on
IKEDA
ISBELL
ATTEST: JACOBSON
PILAGO
SAFARIK
Reference: C-1026/HSEDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 432+
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