08-27-2008, 06:33 AM
The testimony given by Irene Bowie to the Superferry Oversight Task Force as Executive Director of the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Inc. to the Superferry Oversight Task Force meeting in Honolulu, August 20. 2008. This testimony clearly supports the position Kale Gumapac has taken regarding his opposition to the Superferry coming to the Big Island. We all must remember that the Hawaiian Islands are an isolated archipelago right in the middle of the largest ocean of this planet. In the traditional times, the inhabitants of these islands were aware about the limits of these resources and took measures by developing cultural practices to insure these resources assets were protected. A high percentage of the most recent modern island culture does not take the necessary precautions to protect and preserve these resources. If we want to be good caretakers of these very special islands, we must take steps right now to insure our future generations have access to these assets. The Superferry does not provide the necessary protection to protect both the land and water resources. Everyone living on this island must be aware this perilous invasive species of which there are many others candidates, to assist in this effort to protect the future of this island.