Hawaii Superferry Plans Postponed by Lawsuit

By Carol Kennedy

Published on August 11, 2005

The lawsuit seeks an environmental impact statement for the Hawaii Superferry project claiming that, because of the impact on surrounding islands, the company should be required to conduct an environmental assessment.

Isaac Hall, the attorney representing the Sierra Club, said that the state has not adequately explained how it intends to protect the islands and that Hawaii Superferry officials are forcing residents to choose between ferry service and environmental laws.

The CEO of Hawaii Superferry, John Garibaldi, stated that it was unfortunate that special interest groups were trying to impose their rules on them. He also stated that, as a result of the lawsuit, $58 million in equity financing and the Maritime Administration's guarantee of a federal loan of $140 million would be put on hold.

The Hawaii Superferry is scheduled to begin operating in early 2007. The ferry will operate two large catamarans carrying 900 passengers and 250 vehicles between Oahu and Maui and Kauai and the Big Island.

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