Lingle Fails Molokai re: Superferry vs YB
Governor Linda Lingle failed to inform Molokai residents and businessowners that her Department of Transportation Harbors Division would push Young Brothers Barge services into smaller dock area on Maui to make way for the Superferry, and thus causing YB to stop shipping freight for individuals of "less than container load" freight service from Maui to Molokai in Janary 2007 when the Superferry arrives.Young Brothers CEO Glenn Hong's exclusive interview with Molokai Advertiser-News last week revealed that governor Lingle is a major supporterr of the Superferry project, and the federal government has facilitated its development by providing nearly $175-Million loan guarantee to keep the project afloat.
Without Lingle's support and collusion with the federal loan guarantee the superferry might not be built, and the State's decision to reduce the dock space on Maui where Young Brothers handles freight would not have gained political expediency with the resulting effect of less ocean freight service for Molokai and Maui. Glenn Hong told The MAN that YB had petitioned DOT for the past five years for more space at the docks in Kahului, but the Lingle Administration never took action on it. Now, YB is being reduced by about 24% of existing dock space, so operations must be reduced.
Lingle did not inform Molokai residents of this problem, nor did she seek imput from Molokai on the plan that obviously will negatively effect the economy on Molokai and Maui. Lingle is ultimately responsible for this problem being kept hidden.
Molokai Chamber of Commerce has collected signatures on a petition against the reduction of freight service, and there are reports that the PUC has promised to hold public hearings in the near future. Hawaii Superferry's operating apreement with the state Department of Transportation, Harbors Division, uses existing facilities at each harbor.
No dredging or construction of new piers is required. It will offer freight shipping fresh produce and livestock to market daily in your delivery trucks, vans and trailers. The four-deck ferries will have a capacity of 900 people and approximately 250 cars, trucks and buses on two vehicle decks. But, there is no plan to stop at Kaunakakai Harbor on its voyages to Kauai, Honolulu, Kahului, and Kawaihae. Molokai is being screwed, again.
Our protests, however have apparently awakened the Maui County Council. The committee of the whole is recommending passage of a Resolution in opposition to the proposed commencement of service of the Hawaii Superferry at Kahului Harbor. The document is #06-89 scheduled to be heard on August 14, 2006.
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