KAHULUI, Maui — The U.S. Coast Guard is expected to announce an expanded security zone at Kahului Harbor in anticipation of the Dec. 1 return of the Hawaii Superferry.

Coast Guard Lt. John Tichen said the zone would be similar to emergency rules imposed at Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua'i after protesters jumped into the water in an attempt to block the 350-foot, high-speed ferry from docking in late August.

Those rules prohibited boats, swimmers, kayakers, people on surfboards and anyone else from being in harbor waters 60 minutes prior to the vessel's arrival until 10 minutes after its departure. The rules set aside an area for protests.

The Superferry's Maui schedule calls for a 9:30 a.m. arrival from Honolulu and an 11 a.m. departure.

If a harborwide security zone is put into effect, the Coast Guard may see more resistance from surfers and fishermen than from environmentalists.

During northeast swells, a surfbreak in Kahului Harbor attracts surfers, bodyboarders, paddlers, kayakers and others. The surf spot is popular because it's just a couple minutes from work and schools, allows easy access to waves, has ample parking and is suitable for surfers of all skill levels.

The harbor also is home to two major canoe clubs and a newly renovated small-boat ramp used by commercial and recreational fishermen.

All could be prohibited from entering the water under a security zone similar to the one applied on Kaua'i.

"The surf is here only certain times. That would be a drag," said surfer Milton Yamashita of Kula, rinsing off after enjoying the Kahului Harbor surfbreak on Wednesday. "I don't see a point to it."

Yamashita said he doesn't have a problem with the Superferry but feels an expansive security zone would be another example of how the ferry has been "shoved down our throats."

"I'm fine with the ferry, but they just keep jerking us around. Stuff like that is a waste of our time," he said.

Sam Ahoon of Kihei said he goes out fishing a couple times a week, using his catch to make money and feed his family. Ahoon usually heads out of the harbor between 3 and 8 a.m., which shouldn't be a problem with the ferry's 9:30 a.m. arrival. But he still fears the potential impact of the security zone on his fishing trips and on other boaters.

"The best time to go out is early morning. It would be stopping Hawaiian people and locals from gathering fish for their 'ohana. That's their job, that's their work," he said.

If the security zone is in effect longer than a few days and stretches into Christmas vacation, it also could affect the high school canoe paddling teams that train and race at Kahului Harbor.

Tichen said the Maui security zone is still under discussion, and the Coast Guard will meet today with state and county enforcement officials to further examine potential restrictions.

"We will take that into consideration and try to find a balance for other recreational users," he said.

The federal agency hopes to be able to announce the security rules next week, in plenty of time to alert the public before the ferry's arrival, according to Tichen.

Protesters who fail to comply with orders pertaining to the security zones, purposely injure or threaten to injure an enforcement officer or attempt to destruct or interfere with vessels may be punished by imprisonment for up to 10 years and may be fined up to $32,500. Any vessel used to violate a security zone, including surfboards, kayaks and canoes, may be immediately confiscated and forfeited.

Tichen said how long the security zone remains in effect will depend on the reaction to the Superferry's return, which comes in the wake of a pitched court battle and emotional public debate. So far on Maui there have been minor sign-waving protests, but those demonstrations took place in the context of a pending legal case that ended in favor of groups pushing for an environmental review before the ferry service could start.

Since the ferry's last formal visit to Maui on Aug. 27, the Legislature and Gov. Linda Lingle passed a new law during a special session that essentially overturned the court rulings that had grounded the Hawaii Superferry.

"We're hopeful that people will recognize the law and demonstrate in a peaceful manner," Tichen said.

Officials with the Sierra Club and Maui Tomorrow, who participated in the court case, have said that if they organize protests, they will be conducted lawfully. Some members of the Kahului Harbor Coalition, the third group involved in the case, are calling for sign-waving.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.