Post by ferryfast admin on Oct 23, 2007 16:54:17 GMT -5
Hawaii Superferry Will Be a Real Plus for State of Hawaii
Open Letter to Hawaii Lawmakers
By Bob Sigall, 10/23/2007 10:53:10 AM
Posted on: Hawaii Reporter
www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?16dcf65b-068b-4847-8c94-c6c403f90e63
Thank you for allowing me to testify in support of bills to allow the Hawaii Superferry to serve the people of Hawaii while an environmental impact statement is prepared.
The Hawaii Superferry will be a real plus to the state. It will benefit our small farmers, and increase our ability to feed ourselves.
Those opposing it cite environmental concerns, but when they speak, most of their concerns are about development, and not the environment.
Some of their concerns have validity. Traffic is bad on Kauai and Maui. Not enough attention has been paid to expanding highways.
I do not believe the Hawaii Superferry will increase visitors between islands, but will simply give us choices in how to go.
I do believe the Hawaii Superferry will have less impact on the environment than airplanes.
Estimates I've seen put a boat's impact at 1/4th or less that of airplanes. This is a facet of the story I have not seen discussed. Getting a plane up over 15,000 feet uses a tremendous amount of fuel.
If I can point out the ferries in use in the Pacific Northwest as a comparable situation, it is interesting to note that that there has never been much concern for their environmental impact.
There are over two dozen ferries in the Pacific Northwest and the area teems with marine wildlife. These ferries have run for decades and I've never heard an environmental peep from activists.
Another place with ferries is the English Channel. Six different companies provide ferry service from several cities every half hour. The considered opinion is that their environmental impact is negligible.
I believe much of the opposition to the Hawaii Superferry has been rude and inconsistent with Hawaii's Aloha Spirit.
I am appalled at the harassment of those aboard the first voyages and those testifying in favor of the Hawaii Superferry.
The activists opposing the Hawaii Superferry have not respected other's viewpoints. They are undemocratic in wanting to foist their views on majority. They are dishonest, in that they hide behind concerns for the environment, when in reality, they oppose the Hawaii Superferry on other grounds.
I urge the legislators to pass legislation that allows the Hawaii Superferry to serve the people of Hawaii while an Environmental Impact Study is completed.
Bob Sigall is a local author of the "Companies We Keep" and member of the Small Business Hawaii board of directors. Reach him at mailto:sigall@hawaii.rr.com