03-19-2009, 12:49 PM
quote:Yeah, that's a small point often omitted. Never has it ever been hidden that the HSF may have the ability to accommodate military transportation with the proper modifications. However, the military already stated they have their own transportation and would only use the HSF if an extraordinary situation arose. The HSF will be a civilian alternative transportation for the Big Island when it starts running here. The military using it will be just like the military buying tickets on Hawaiian Airline; just like the military paying lodging fees at local hotels; just like the military using local trucking companies to move supplies and equipment. Just like the many millions of dollars the military spends annually in the local community for services they use.
Originally posted by Devany
The Super Ferry never even came here and it is unlikely that it ever will.
If the military decides to locate the Striker Brigade on the BI, they will come with or without the HSF. Nothing anyone can do will stop that. So if the HSF can become economically viable for civilian use by accommodating the military from time to time, why would that be a bad thing? I haven’t heard anyone on this board who see military funding conspiracy behind the HSF so much as said one word about Saddle Road. If military funding and use of military money is evil, they should also be calling for a stop to all construction on Saddle Road until the State & County taxpayers can afford to pay the cost. (Military appropriates has and will pay for 91% of all Saddle Road improvements). If they don't want military money going to pay for the use of the HSF, they should equally not want military money going for the funding of road improvements. Of course, it could be a double standard, military money is good only if it's for something they will enjoy and use, but its bad if they won't use it regardless of the benefit to others.