Superferry Pros and Cons...

[glennoid]

Stryker vehicles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stryker
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/s...nd/iav.htm

[wjbillock]

Please give it a chance....

"What? Me Worry?" - Alfred E. Nueman

[Scott_S]

I was on one of the larger ones that run between Italy and Greece, it had cabins, a casino, restaurant, and a bar. Nice. It seemed that it was the truckers that were its main support. Is this one suppose to be large enough for trucks hauling freight?

Scott

[robguz]

I thought the Superferry was a great idea when I first heard about it, but now, I can't see taking it more than once just for the novelty of it. I think the invasive species spread is going to be a huge problem, especially with regards to cars and coquis. Since it doesn't go to Hilo, it seems kind of pointless for our side of the island. I could imagine using it for a shopping trip to Oahu, but really it would probably be cheaper to fly, rent a car, and have anything I would want to purchase shipped. I don't know how it can succeed with what they're charging vs. airlines. I find not having to have gotten an EIS pretty insane given the delicate ecosystems of the islands. I hope the competition keeps airfares low and that tax payers won't have to subsidize the fairies if they fail.

[Bob Orts]

Personally, from an outsiders point, I don’t think the Super Ferry has anything to do with moving the resident between Oahu, Maui, Kauai or the Big Island.

I see it only as a way to support mass development of N. Baja, San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, Las Vegas and Seattle. I doubt the people of Eastern Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, & Kau and southern S. Kona has the slightest interest beyond a novelty.

If this was about the people and their needs, the Ferry would have docked in Hilo, the center of commerce for the island. But since it’s docking at the Oakland Shipyard, it’s for tourism development and support for the citizens’ of California, Oregon and Washington.

[Aaron S]

It looks like HSF won't be starting service anytime soon.

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/articl...23917.html




Edited by - Aaron S on 08/23/2007 17:33:34

[Carolann R]

I'm kinda confused, Bob. What do you mean "docked" at Oakland? It's in Honolulu, right?

Carrie

"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart

[Bob Orts]

Well Carrie, the confusion could be if you don't spend much time over on the west side of the island, you're probably not up to date on the changes. So in case you do go to that side, here's the updates:

Captain Cook is now North Baja.
Keauhou has been changed to San Diego.
Kailua-Kona is officially Los Angeles.
Waikoloa Village changed its name to Portland.
Waimea is being changed to Seattle.
Waikii wants to be known as Las Vegas.

Other proposed changes are:
KOA (Kona Airport) to WLAX (West Los Angeles International)
Kawaihae dock will be Oakland SeaPort.
Queen K Hwy, changed to California 19.
Makalei Estates may get their wish and become Palms Springs.
Which means Alli Heights will be demanding to be called Beverly Hills.
Did see “Real California Happy Cows” signs at Parker Ranch

Although change is inevitable, I'm firmly against the west siders petition to add the Starbucks logo to the county emblem. And, although I can't confirm this, I heard they were going to require that all new home in the North Kona District to be stucco with red clay tile roofs. Does that means Macy’s will become a Nordstrom’s and HPM will sell out to Ikea? I know it will make those west side islanders feel at home.

[Carolann R]

Whoa. Very well thought-out LOL!

It's like a different world than the east side to be sure. I understood though, that there was no real way to do the ferry from Hilo because the waters are more turbulent than the ferry can handle. Is that true?

Should be interesting since the waters in that Molokai Channel are supposed to be super rough as well...but I don't really know the route 'cause they really haven't posted route maps anywhere.

What Rob says about the future of the HSF seems very likely, but just tossing that kinda money into the wind when there's so many other needy places it could go seems real careless on the part of a local government that knows how much it's people are overpriced, underpaid, etc.

P.S. When we do venture over to the West Side it's always fun...but we tend to prefer staying off Alii and would rather snorkel at Kealakekua or Cap't Cook and veg on the beach at Hapuna/ Mauna Kea...I feel lucky it's so close to us, but I've lived in So. Cal. and had my fill of plastic people and tourists. I'm sure there's wonderful people on the West Side - so don't send me hateful emails. I just prefer our side of paradise!



Carrie

"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart



Edited by - Carolann R on 08/23/2007 18:52:19

[Bob Orts]

I honestly don't see HSF being about transportation. I believe it's about tourist and resort development.

The ferry will add a new dimension to inter-island travel that has a low appeal to residents (cost, convenience, environmental concerns) but a load of appeal to the tourist industry. Imagine more affluent Ouahian who have a weekend place in Kona. Like the NYC rich who have the Hamptons. Or a tourist who can take a 2 day side trip to the Kona spas and resorts while not having to hassle with parking their rented Jeep at the airport and deal with TSA.

The people of the west side are longing for that atmosphere of mingling with the other half. Many probably moved here for the romantic tourist lifestyle they thought they would have. But they found the Kona/Kohala area to be barren of their version of a real Hawaii atmosphere. They can’t and won’t accept that it’s a barren desolate lava flow made up to appeal to their Spring Break fantasy. So they are creating the image of what Hawaii would be like if it were on a sound stage at Universal Studio. But they still can’t let go of their need for In n- Out Burgers, Starbucks, and Ikea. So the HSF is their ticket to tourist coming over on not a hustle and bustle airplane flight, but rather a party time in the lounge outing. (That's where HSF will make their money). These tourists will bring resort development, stores, arts and all the things they claimed they had to get away from on the mainland, but can’t seem to live without now that they are here.

The HSF is the beginning of the end of a Hawaii Island on the west side and the start of the Californiaising of Kona/Kahola. They can dress themselves up in flowered shirts, carry a ukulele, make up conversation to use every Hawaiian word they know, they can walk around with a orchid in their hair, and they can use the phrase Aloha till the sunburns away, but they will never accept Hawaii for Hawaii. It’s funny, you offer a west sider a cup of Kona coffee in a Styrofoam cup and they will turn it down. Offer them Porta-Pottie swill in a Starbucks cup and they will buy it on the spot. When they care more about the cup their coffee is in and not the coffee in the cup, California-Oregon-Washington has arrived!

Good thing is they consider Puna the "other side of the tracks" so they won't come over.