Image above: Mashup of Mufi by Juan Wilson superimposed over Jonathan Jay photo of Superferry on trial run to Kauai.
By Brad Parsons on 18 August 2010 for the Maui News -
(Submitted as an Op-Ed to the Maui News)
Regarding the Maui News interview "Hannemann talks about action plan" by Chris Hamilton from Aug. 18, 2010, a few points from that need to be clarified and expanded upon.
The Maui plaintiffs lawsuit wasn't what killed the Superferry, it was HSF's own financial losses even when they were operating. Surprisingly HSF was never actually compelled to cease operations nor even to leave the state. In fact there were some state policymakers who thought HSF could have used the second vessel with it's own ramp to operate to Kauai and the Big Island while they waited on the EIS to be done.
On Hannemann's comments about a new environmental impact statement, DOT officials have said they plan to reuse the information from the Act 2 EIS that they already spent almost a million dollars to document. Hannemann doesn't say whether he would rescope that, particularly important because the prior two vessels were financially and logistically unsuccessful with the route requirements.
Hannemann did say "he'd favor a public-private partnership that likely involves using the currently bankrupt company's two giant high-speed catamarans to transport military personnel on leave between islands." HSF was already transporting military personnel on leave, and it wasn't making a difference with their bottom line. Maybe Mufi should have just straight up said, "transport military personnel and their equipment on assignment between islands for training purposes." But why does a cash strapped state need to get involved in that when the Feds have the resources to handle it?
Mufi also said, "It would free up a lot of lines at the airport." Not really, it never did. HSF did a small fraction, less than 10%, of the business that the airlines do.
As for the Superferry's supposed economic benefit, remember a business does not produce an economic benefit unless it can first sustain itself. Some Maui farmers were using it, and they are now using Aloha Air Cargo with no problem. The fishermen, contractors and small-business who were using it were mostly from Oahu. It should be no surprise that the Oahu Development Board, Enterprise Honolulu, lobbied hard for HSF and was putting out narrow (and what turned out to be inaccurate) economic forecasts on it as far back as 2003.
With his statements on the Superferry, Mufi Hannemann gives the knowledgeable voter good insight into Mufi's detached thought processes. The same processes he would use to try to solve any other problems, such as the solid waste, wastewater, and rail problems that he left unresolved in Honolulu. But, are the voters paying attention?
See also:
Ea O Ka Aina: Mufi's Superferry Dreamin' 7/27/10
Hannemann Wants To Revive Hawaii Superferry: Opponent Abercrombie Called That A Fantasy (KITV, 7/26/2010)
Candidates for governor pitch economic plans (AP, 7/26/2010)
SOURCE: Dick Mayer (dickmayer@earthlink.net) SUBHEAD: If elected Mufi Hannemann promises in the first 3 months to become the champion of bringing back the Superferry. A conversation with Mufi Editorial by the Publisher on 19 August 2010 for the Maui News - (http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/534548.html) Mufi Hannemann would like to bring the Superferry back. The former mayor of Honolulu and current Democratic candidate for governor stopped by The Maui News Tuesday to talk story and introduce himself. When asked how he could revive the Superferry when environmental groups on Maui fought so hard to put it in dry dock last time, Hannemann said the whole process would have to begin anew. He said he would not push it if there was evidence the community was not behind it. But Hannemann emphasized he thought having the transportation alternative for farmers, families and business people was well worth going through the effort again. He promised to follow an exhaustive process beginning with community meetings, then going on to the completion of a brand-new environmental impact statement. Hannemann said that, if elected, he'd begin work on the Superferry revival within his first three months. He said the reason it failed last time was that shortcuts were taken - an EIS wasn't done before the ferry sailed - and, very simply, he didn't believe the Superferry had someone to champion it. He promised to be that champion. The ex-mayor pointed to his success in getting rail passed on Oahu as proof he could lead a successful transportation project. While he wouldn't predict how long it would take to get the Superferry going again, he said he was able to get the rail project under way in five years when the average for such an effort is 14. When asked if he agreed with his opponent, Neil Abercrombie, that a financially successful Superferry would require a public and private cooperation including the military, Hannemann replied that he was certain there would be help from the public sector. On other transportation issues, Hannemann said that as governor he would make sure that funds for capital improvement projects like roads, harbors and airports were released in economically challenging times. He pointed out that he has already awarded two contracts for the rail project on Oahu - and, that because of the down economic times, they came in $150 million under budget. Hannemann views such leadership as creating a win-win situation - people are put to work and the public saves money on the contracts. Tomorrow: Conversation with Mufi, Part II - schools and governmental budgeting.
See also:
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KITV: Hannemann Plan To Revive Superferry Sinking Fast http://bit.ly/dl8Dn7
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