The view from beyond our shores is dismal enough: The Islands are in the news, internationally, because of the conflagration over the Hawaii Superferry. Media reports have placed the state in the unforgiving glare of public attention because of the clash over the new service and the manner of its arrival.

Close up, things look even worse. Yes, protests have been used here frequently as a political tool, but even locally it's rare to see Hawai'i residents turn such venomous anger against other residents.

Although the sight of Kaua'i protesters hammering on passenger cars certainly got the most play, bad behavior has been evident on both sides.

O'ahu folks have been told, in so many words, that they and their urban ills are not welcome; Kaua'i residents have been alerted that they'd better not expect any help from the big, bad city the next time they need it. Letters have been written and, by unnamed accounts, ugly telephone threats have been exchanged.

What happened to the neighborly feeling people felt for each other? Painfully setting aside the notion of the aloha spirit, we all can ask: What happened to basic human civility?

Assuming Kaua'i service is able to restart Sept. 26, hope springs eternal that this time cooler heads will prevail.

For starters, there is simply nothing to gain by another attempt to thwart the docking of the ferry through violence or illegal means. Kaua'i residents should stage their protest within the Coast Guard's prescribed bounds; nobody would gain if anyone gets hurt or slapped with a criminal violation.

For their part, the passengers must behave like the guests they are and enjoy themselves without leaving an indelible mark. The ferry must heighten its oversight of items brought on and off to see that this happens.

There is a way to proceed toward a successful full-scale launch of service without abandoning the hospitality and conservation ethic that Hawai'i claims as core values. Otherwise, all the cries about needing to keep our Islands the way they are will be noisy, but ultimately meaningless.