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quote:
If the Maui judge ruled in favor the first go around most likely it will either be the same decision or a middle ground - allowing the ferry to operate while an impact study is done.
As far as I read after this decision was rendered, the environmentalists attorney was going to try to get a blanket injunction covering all island harbors which HSF was going to serve.As the HDOT's argument that the modifications done to Kahului and Lihue harbors were additions to old infrastructure was pretty much shot to hell yesterday.
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quote:
I'm with Bob though. It is about tourist, not locals. I wonder if the rental car companies would allow the cars to be ferried from Oahu to Maui. Probably not due to insurance and liability over water.
Made a call to my consumer affairs person at a large worldwide rental company. They are not saying anything officially, but here's what they offered up:
There really wasn’t any restriction by the "rental company" for traveling inter-island. The restrictions were a matter of logistics and two laws.
First, there was no way to just move a car from island to island via public transportation carrier. It was hard to put a rental in the overhead bins of an airplane. However, the HSF is a ferry just like other ferries operating in the United States so rental companies seldom bar transportation on a ferry without other reasons.
Second, the only way to move a vehicle from island to island was by commercial freight. A renter did not have the legal authority to sign shipping papers on that vehicle. But again, the HSF is a transpiration ferry not a shipping company or freight carrier so no shipping papers, just a fare.
The third reason no longer applies. Prior to the HSF, Hawaii had a state law that required the vehicle lien-holder (bank, manufacture’s finance company, etc) to authorize each inter-island transfer of a vehicle. However, when the HSF was proposed, they said the HI State legislature immediately passed a law removing the need for lien-holder permission. Supposedly, that was at the request of the tourist industry and rental car agencies.
So, based on that, it appears the rental car industry is welcoming the HSF.
Edited by - Bob Orts on 08/24/2007 14:36:28
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I don't think the Super Ferry is about tourists or locals. It is about spending money. Hawaii has, for years, paid federal taxes on gasoline to support the Interstate Highway System....without any real way to attach to the Interstate Highway System. It was decided they could burn up part of Hawaii's share by building a Ferry or two. That is why, when they show it off, it has an Interstate HIghway symbol on it.
I actually think they could care less whether anyone uses it. They have, at this point, successfully burned up a pile of money and I am confident that various amounts cannot now be accounted for. Go Super Ferry!
I am also guessing that they are now desparate to launch and effectively "complete" the project. The courts are making them sweat right now. I would not apply any of this thinking toward the employees who hope for success with their jobs.
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quote:
I actually think they could care less whether anyone uses it. They have, at this point, successfully burned up a pile of money and I am confident that various amounts cannot now be accounted for.
Rob, it's scary but sounds more like the real deal...after so many decades of this kind of embezzlement going on, you'd think by now someone would get nailed for it - especially with all the Enron crap in recent years being exposed. What's it take?
Carrie
"All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it." Bob Newhart
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$5.00 fares and an early Sunday launch.
Beats the court filing Monday. Slick.
I do hope it does well though.
I haven't followed the ferry at all, so the interstate / gas tax is interesting.
How do gas tax revenues get siphoned to a Ferry ?
If this was a state owned and operated ferry, or even county, I see how gas taxes would be used on this and thus the ferry becoming part of the transportation infrastructure of the state / county.
I was under the impression that this was a private show - start to finish - and the state simply gave the ok. Guess I have been asleep.
I wonder who owns and operates the newest commuter ferry on Oahu ...
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HSF received federal maritime administration loans to build the two ferries. Plus the State of Hawaii ponied up 40 million to improve the harbors here to support HSF.
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Hawaii Superferry today announced it is launching early on Sunday, August 26, with a special $5 fare for voyages between the islands of Maui and O‘ahu and Kaua‘i and O‘ahu through September 5. At 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, Hawaii Superferry will begin accepting reservations for this special $5 fare for travel between August 26 through September 5, 2007.
The special $5 per fare will apply to each passenger and each passenger vehicle for one-way tickets and includes all applicable taxes, fees and other charges. Reservations for each voyage will be limited to 500 passengers and 150 vehicles each way on an advance purchase basis only through September 5. Customers who have already purchased tickets for travel between August 28 – September 5, will be refunded and offered the special fare. Reservations must be made online through
http://www.HawaiiSuperfery.com or through the call center at 1-877-HI-FERRY (877-443-3779) to receive this special $5 rate.
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Hey we might need that ferry Poohiki to Hilo if the lava does actually go this way! ha ha
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Maybe we can schedule daily commutes between Isaac Hale Park and Hilo Harbor after the lava crosses Hwy 130. ļ
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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the pres of super ferry said the upcoming court hearing on monday had nothing to do with him moving up the schedule to today and giving away tickets, ha! wonder if he knows the definition of a liar? and of course lingles' flunky the transportation head is also laughing.
