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Hawaii Superferry Is Sunk

By Richard Dolbeare

Real Estate Agent with Inactive INACTIVE HI Lic# RB-20941

March 18, 2009 01:57 PM

Newsflash

It has been announced that the Hawaii Superferry is suspending all operations immediately and laying off its employees this Friday. Customers with reservations have been promised refunds. Cancellation is not due to lack of business but rather a battle waged in the courts by Superferry opponents. On Monday, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in favor of the opponents making continued operation not possible.

Opposing the Superferry were the Sierra Club, and an organization of residents concerned about a delayed Environmental Impact Statement. It is my understanding that Hawaii State Senator, Gary Hosier supported their positon as well.

In favor of Superferry was Governor Lingle and many of the users including business owners using it to ship goods among the islands. Business owners found the service to be more economical than shipping by air, especially given the availablity of ship power to run their refrigeration units. Shipping will now go by air or where speed of delivery is not critical, by barge. Residents traveling between the islands will need to rent cars at their destination instead of taking their own which will increase business at the rental car companies.

Superferry officials have not announced what they will do with the Alakai which was built especially for Hawaii interisland service. Neither is it known how the state will recoup its investment in harbor infrastructure which was supposed to have been repaid by Superferry. Employees will be seeking new jobs at an awkward time given Hawaii's high unemployment rate.

In August 2007, I posted a first-hand account of travel on the Superferry HERE.

Aloha,

Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today--Helping Buyers Find Dream Homes & Sellers Find Buyers

Visit www.KauaiRocks.com for Hawaii real estate information

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Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Hi Richard - This is sad news. There will be so many people affected by this. Not only those who are losing their jobs, but also the many islanders who depended on this service.

Mar 18, 2009 02:29 PM

Randy Hooker

Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area - Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek

Hey Richard... I'm not a resident of Hawaii, but this news breaks my heart. I was REALLY looking forward to utilizing the super-ferry on our next trip. Bummer...

Mar 18, 2009 04:03 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Once again the power of the few ruining it for the masses. You know these are also going to be the first people who complain when prices start to rise on goods and services though.

Mar 18, 2009 06:10 PM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Bummer is right! Catchy title for your post though. So, you are a Skype user? I can't wait to figure it out.

Mar 19, 2009 09:43 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Richard,

I really miss the Hydro foil service we had in the seventies through the islands. I use to take my bike and visit the other islands. It was cheap, fast, and carried inter-island mail and small cargo. The super ferry has been rather pushed through and we know people don't want something pushed upon them...

Regards,

Mar 20, 2009 01:55 AM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Hi All- Thanks for your comments. The Superferry was the most divisive issue I've seen while living in Hawaii. The majority of the Hawaii people wanted the Superferry as determined by Honolulu Star Bulletin polls. The protestors were smaller in numbers but felt very strongly about their cause and acted accordingly.

I traveled on the Superferry on it's one and only voyage from Kauai to Oahu. My account can be found HERE.

Aloha

Mar 20, 2009 04:20 AM

Brian Brumpton

Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID

Boise Idaho Real Estate

Richard, I like your blog. The layout looks nice and you've got some great content here.

Mar 20, 2009 06:54 AM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Thanks for your comments Brian. I noted that you are with Keller Williams which has gotten my attention through contacts on here. We have a franchise here on Maui.

Mar 20, 2009 07:02 AM

Will Nesbitt

Nesbitt Realty at Condo Alexandria - Alexandria, VA

Nesbitt Realty is a family-run brokerage.

Wow. That's a stunner and a bummer.

Mar 20, 2009 11:20 PM

Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate

M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Richard, Hate to hear that there will no longer be a Super Ferry. I am sure that this will have a great impact on many individuals.

Mar 21, 2009 06:52 AM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Hi Will & Sandy- The Superferry was promoted for years and most looked forward to it. I believe small business is most impacted as it made it easy for them to carry goods from one island to another on their trucks. Unfortunately, this means that goods must now travel by air which not only increases cost but also is less environmentally friendly due to a higher fuel burn rate.

Mar 22, 2009 08:15 AM

Julie A. Black

KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI

CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

Hi Richard:

I'm actually very happy that the Super Ferry won't be coming to Kauai. It would have a devastating affect on our natural resources. Even though it's not allowed Maui was having issues with people trying to get their coolers on with fish, opihi and other delicacies. I was also worried that thieves would may day trips to the islands and pack it on their pick up trucks. No pity here. That's what happens when you try and circumvent the law, (Lack of a EIS).

By the way how did the showing of my listing on Koali go?

Mar 26, 2009 03:48 PM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Hi Julie- Do you think the EIS was the real issue or was that a smokescreen? As I understand the process, an EIS is required when public facilities are used. From what I've seen (and heard), I'm not convinced the use of public facilities and associated EIS was the real issue.

Mar 26, 2009 04:14 PM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

If it's anything at all like the ferries in Seattle, I'm going to miss it and I haven't even been on it.

Mar 29, 2009 02:51 PM

Jennifer Fivelsdal

JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY

Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Richard It sounds like this will be a big lost for many.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mar 29, 2009 03:41 PM

Julie A. Black

KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI

CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

I do think the EIS was a major reason and concern. I would love to have the Superferry if I thought there was a way that it wouldn't negatively impact our environment, resources and crime rate.

Mar 29, 2009 03:46 PM

Richard Dolbeare

Inactive - Wailuku, HI

Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Jim- And I haven't been on the Seattle ferry. I do have a niece who's husband takes his bicycle on the ferry from Bainbridge Island and then peddles to work and he loves it. I think I have my geography right.

Jennifer- Thanks for commenting and best wishes

Julie- I've learned that it doesn't always pay to take things at face value and thus the doubts that I expressed. Do you think that the objections will dissolve once the ferry installs the new loading ramps so that use of public facilities requiring an EIS is no longer necessary?

Mar 29, 2009 06:18 PM

Jason Sanders

Cherry Hill Township, NJ

Richard - This story has gotten some play in the national media. To read you're account I feel bad for the citizens of Hawaii who apparently footed the bill for the venture through their tax dollars and supported the project and now find themselves stripped of very useful service which sounds like it might have a pretty substantial economic impact.

Apr 03, 2009 03:27 AM