AUWE, THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN HAWAI'I

This is such a sad day for both sides, and so filled with mixed and highly charged emotions for all.

This should not happen here in Hawai'i. We have always had the aloha spirit, and it is quite disappointing to see both sides in such a spirit of uncooperation, both sides demanding to have their viewpoints made mandatory.

When government is thrown into the mix, auwe! Such should not happen here.

Come on, folks, let's pull together and work toward some sort of resolution.

CRUISE SHIPS DON'T GO 35 KNOTS, CARRY 110 CARS

Maui Land & Pineapple Co. CEO David Cole believes "the Superferry was (unfairly) being singled out from cruise ships and other harbor users."

But no cruise ship carries 110 cars per trip nor goes 24 knots in shallow water and 35 knots in deep water.

Cruise ships like the Pride of Aloha need go only a maximum of 16.5 knots to make their schedule: a speed where most adult humpback whales have learned to get out of the way.

At 35 knots, whales will be injured or killed as they are elsewhere in the world.

SUPERFERRY OFFERED SPECTACULAR JOURNEY

We just returned home after having had one of the most relaxing and spectacular journeys imaginable on the Hawaii Superferry.

The accommodations were extremely comfortable, the views fantastic, the food quite good and all of the employees were outstanding in friendliness and helpfulness. I urge anyone to experience this at least once — even at regular prices.

I cannot understand the environmentalists wishing to take away such a great experience from us. I venture to guess that one jet airplane going to a Neighbor Island releases more pollution than this ferry.

I also suspect that the environmentalists just don't have enough to do or have enough about which to worry.

We definitely want to cruise on this ferry again, and would certainly choose it over flying interisland.

MINORITY ARE HALTING PROGRESS IN FERRY ISSUE

I was on the maiden voyage to Maui, and I just want to thank Hawaii Superferry for the wonderful experience. The highlight of the trip for me was the return trip back past the north shore of Moloka'i. It was a breathtaking sight.

The ride was comfortable, and the company went out of its way to ensure the trip was enjoyable. The service and the staff were excellent. Good customer service starts at the top, and that was evident.

I am dismayed about the protests. The Superferry was given the go-ahead two years ago.

There are cruise ships and cargo ships that dock at the various harbors almost every day.

The only reason I can understand the protest is the possible backing from opponents who are afraid of the competition in the local market.

The majority is supposed to rule, but in situations like this the minority seems to always be the ones that stir controversy and prevent progress.

I look forward to many future trips on the Superferry.

PROTESTERS IMPEDING CHANGE AND PROGRESS

Auwe to protesters for disrupting the maiden voyage of the Hawaii Superferry.

Shame on you for thinking of yourselves, being selfish and interfering with progress and change.

Progress and change is the foundation of the American way.

Whether you like it or not, this experience is inevitible.

My family's lineage can be traced back to pre-contact and Haloa. Those of you who protested on Kaua'i and Maui: Where can you trace your lineage to?

OTHER VESSELS OPERATE WITHOUT HARMING ISLES

Why are these Maui environmental groups so set against the Hawaii Superferry from operating?

I do believe that Young Brothers, Matson, NCL and countless other companies ply the same waterways and do so with as little impact on the environment as is possible.

They say it's invasive species they are worried about, harm to the humpbacks they are worried about. Give me a break. When was the last time vehicles shipped on Matson or Young Brothers were checked for invasive species?

When was the last time a whale was hit by a NCL or other visiting ocean liner? What's the real reason for these so called islanders not wanting the Superferry to come to their island? Makes you wonder.

MOST RESIDENTS WANT FERRY SYSTEM IN ISLES

The Hawaiian Islands are the only archipelago in the world without a ferry system.

A large majority of the people in Hawai'i want a ferry system as an alternative mode of transportation.

There are, however, some self-appointed groups that try to stop everything that they deem undesirable, even if it is against the interests of the majority. These groups achieve nothing but a delay of progress and increasing costs for all of us.

The call for an environmental assessment is only an excuse to delay the ferry.

Unfortunately there are judges who approve of such tactics. Why not ask for an environmental assessment for the airlines and the car rental agencies?

COMMUNITY FRUSTRATED BY LACK OF JUDGMENT

The Hawaii Superferry has been forced on the Neighbor Islands without much input from local residents.

On Kaua'i, a growing movement of Superferry resisters have created an organized body of activists who are helping to spread the news of the ferry's foibles and follies. On Sunday, close to 100 concerned citizens showed up to greet the ferry with banners, music, marchers and chanters. The message was clear: No environmental assessment, no Hawaii Superferry.

Organizers hosted a community-building meeting the previous day to plan the Sunday demonstration as well as call for direct action when passenger services began on Kaua'i. This call for action, in addition to the request by local leaders to boycott the Superferry, is the response of a unified community frustrated by the lack of good judgment and planning by government agencies and its corporate/military interest.

The inconvenience that Hawaii Superferry users will experience will be just another good reason why the alternative of flying and renting a car will provide greater customer satisfaction than getting stuck in the traffic surrounding Kalapaki bay and Nawiliwili Harbor.

If you can't support the boycott, please consider leaving your car (and the risk of spreading invasive species) at home.

IS THE WORLD WATCHING — AND LAUGHING AT US?

More than 200 years ago, the Hawaiian Islands were at war and pitted with anger against each other.

Is the Superferry reverting us back to that unfortunate mentality? Is the whole world watching — and laughing at us — and now making plans to take their travel, prospective business and investments elsewhere?

FERRY JUST ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

It's obvious by the actions of some folks on Kaua'i and Maui that not everyone in our state wants any contact with the rest of us in Hawai'i.

Let's let them declare their separation from the United States and Hawai'i and establish their own international government.

Then, when any ship or plane delivers goods from O'ahu to them we can double or triple the fees they have to pay since they are a "non-friendly nation."

We can earn lots of money by charging them nonresident fees for passports and visas when they want to come to O'ahu to see the doctor (oh, and they'll have to pay a hefty surcharge for being non-U.S. citizens for such benefits).

When are these folks going to join the rest of the world and understand that the Superferry is just another form of transportation between islands, using the same waters as Matson, Horizon Lines, etc.?

WHERE ARE PROTESTS OVER REAL PROBLEMS?

I saw your picture of the protester holding his sign about the stupid ferry and its riders, and then I hear the Maui court makes a ruling based on their small brouhaha.

Where are all you people when developers start building in the Islands? Where are the protesters when sewage and trash problems, traffic jams, and the lack of affordable housing prove we have been sold to the highest bidder?

Please grab your signs and go home, or start using some of that energy to make a real change and a difference in Hawai'i.

PROTEST, BUT DON'T JUDGE FERRY CUSTOMERS

I'm not sure where the Neighbor Island residents are getting a surge of motivation to participate in public affairs, but it is disheartening to see them act uncivilized and uneducated.

The percentage increase of visitors from the Superferry will be in the single digits when compared with the thousands of visitors by plane. One ship arrival per day is hardly a concern to the capacity of the Neighbor Islands' infrastructure.

I do commend protesters for being courageous and risking themselves to oppose our government, which is our right.

But to harass Superferry customers is disgusting.

I understand you may not agree that they should not support the Superferry by paying for its services but you are not entitled to judge them. That's someone's grandma or uncle, and you don't know why they chose to take the Superferry.

Maybe it is now affordable to visit a sick relative or have that enormous family reunion that we are known for in this aloha state. Except, the aloha is gone.

SHAME ON PROTESTERS FOR BELITTLING PEOPLE

It saddens me to see constant video and photos of protesters on Kaua'i. These people do not represent the majority of Hawai'i and law enforcement should not be lenient with them. They are endangering the safety of passengers and themselves by trying to swim through the harbor.

What surprises me most is the signs. One sign I saw read "Stupid Superferry, Stupid Passengers." What kind of message does this send to our visitors? What kind of message does this send to our keiki?

I'm all for fighting for what you believe in, but when it breaks the law and begins to belittle people — shame.