Post by ferryfast admin on Aug 30, 2007 0:56:24 GMT -5
Court order blocking Maui Superferry trips is extended
The temporary restraining order may last through Sept. 11 as judge hears arguments
Gary Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com
WAILUKU >> A temporary restraining order halting Hawaii Superferry operations in Kahului Harbor was extended today several days beyond its initial expiration date of Sept. 6.
Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza today declined a Superferry request to lift the temporary restraining order.
Cardoza scheduled Sept. 6 as the beginning of a hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction against the Hawaii Superferry and the state.
Superferry attorney Lisa Munger consented to the extension of the temporary restraining order, while Cardoza holds the hearing on the preliminry injunction possibly through Sept. 11.
The Hawaii Superferry started service Sunday but was forced to halt operations Tuesday after Cardoza's temporary restraining order.
The order did not affect the route to Kauai, but Superferry officials canceled the trips because the Coast Guard couldn’t assure the safety of the vessel, passengers and protesters on Kauai.
Passengers have been dropping off their vehicles at the Superferry's shipping lot to be returned Friday to Oahu.
One passenger said he was unsure if his family would be able to return with his vehicle on the Superferry Friday and that Superferry officials have offered them return flights on airlines.
Superferry officials yesterday sent an e-mail offering all ticketing passengers (the ones who have yet to travel on the Superferry) a “special $19 fare on Hawaiian Airlines available through Sept. 6, with travel good until Oct. 31.
Cardoza’s rulings follow a Hawaii Supreme Court decision last week, reversing his 2005 decision that allowed the Hawaii Superferry to proceed without an environmental assessment.
Maui Tomorrow, the Kahului Harbor Coalition and Sierra Club had sought an environmental assessment of the impact of the Hawaii Superferry.
Environmental observers say processing an environmental assessment usually takes at least three months, including a 30-day period for public comment.
The temporary restraining order may last through Sept. 11 as judge hears arguments
Gary Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com
WAILUKU >> A temporary restraining order halting Hawaii Superferry operations in Kahului Harbor was extended today several days beyond its initial expiration date of Sept. 6.
Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza today declined a Superferry request to lift the temporary restraining order.
Cardoza scheduled Sept. 6 as the beginning of a hearing on a motion for a preliminary injunction against the Hawaii Superferry and the state.
Superferry attorney Lisa Munger consented to the extension of the temporary restraining order, while Cardoza holds the hearing on the preliminry injunction possibly through Sept. 11.
The Hawaii Superferry started service Sunday but was forced to halt operations Tuesday after Cardoza's temporary restraining order.
The order did not affect the route to Kauai, but Superferry officials canceled the trips because the Coast Guard couldn’t assure the safety of the vessel, passengers and protesters on Kauai.
Passengers have been dropping off their vehicles at the Superferry's shipping lot to be returned Friday to Oahu.
One passenger said he was unsure if his family would be able to return with his vehicle on the Superferry Friday and that Superferry officials have offered them return flights on airlines.
Superferry officials yesterday sent an e-mail offering all ticketing passengers (the ones who have yet to travel on the Superferry) a “special $19 fare on Hawaiian Airlines available through Sept. 6, with travel good until Oct. 31.
Cardoza’s rulings follow a Hawaii Supreme Court decision last week, reversing his 2005 decision that allowed the Hawaii Superferry to proceed without an environmental assessment.
Maui Tomorrow, the Kahului Harbor Coalition and Sierra Club had sought an environmental assessment of the impact of the Hawaii Superferry.
Environmental observers say processing an environmental assessment usually takes at least three months, including a 30-day period for public comment.