Clash over new (Super) Ferry exposes Hawaii divide

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Pono means "do the right thing"

Planners and developers in Hawai'i sometimes talk about a "tipping point," where pressure builds until unexpected and rapid change happens. The controversy over the Hawaii Superferry may be a sign the state is teetering at such a point, a time when significant numbers of people here feel they can't escape the effects of more tourists and residents, more cars, houses and hotels.

When the Kaua'i protesters and a Maui court ruling stalled the Superferry, the anger that boiled up statewide on both sides of the issue showed the dispute was about much more than an undone environmental report for a water-borne interisland shuttle.

Some suggest the Superferry controversy tapped into anxiety that has been building during years of record or near-record tourism and growth in Island communities.

That unease may be felt more acutely on the Neighbor Islands, where cruise ships and direct flights from the Mainland in recent years delivered crowds of tourists to places that weren't accustomed to them, or so many of them.

"We've reached the point where we just have too many people. I'm so sorry to say that, but everyone's beginning to feel it, you're beginning to feel the crunch," said Millie Kim, a Hilo-based community development consultant and a member of the Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability Task Force

if you live on the mainland you need to get informed!

I mean between the main island and the out islands?

80% live on Oahu for starters.. that means that 80% of the legislators are only concerned with Oahu issues. they feel that they control the $$ and make decisions with out our consideration. The Super Ferry is just one of many things that they have railroaded us into. We are sick of it since we are our own island and deal with our own unique issues. During the last election they were all surprised to find out that traffic and affordable housing were the most important issues here. They didn't even know!
We on Maui are stewards of our land and take it very seriously.

I like to keep up with Hawai'ian history and politics.