Stand up and be counted
The Garden Island , Guest editorial
September 19, 2007
In times like these, it is good for all of us to take a deep breath and think about the things we love and share in common.
Most of us love Kaua‘i. We all want to live here in peace, good health and prosperity, defined not only as having enough money, but also as being able to live the lifestyle of Kaua‘i. A big part of our happiness is living with the natural environment — the ocean, mountains, and outdoors — and being surrounded by stunning natural beauty on a daily basis. We also feel relatively safe here, and we love being part of a family and community where people care about each other and have fun together. We are also concerned about the future — especially for our children and grandchildren. In general, we are law abiding, and we believe that the law should be followed.
If we had time to get to know one another — protester with Superferry supporter, Coast Guardsman with local surfer — we would probably make a discovery like Paul Baumer, the German soldier in the book, “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
In a shell hole on a World War I battlefield, out of fear and the desire to survive, he stabs a Frenchman who has jumped into the same hole to escape enemy fire. When Paul finds letters and a photo of a wife and daughter on the Frenchman’s dead body, he cries out with remorse, “For the first time, I see you are a man like me ... forgive me, comrade; how could you be my enemy?”
We are not literally killing each other, of course, but we may be thinking of ourselves as separate and very different from those with whom we disagree.
In fact, we are not that different.
Consider that most who oppose the Superferry without an EIS would accept the Superferry if there were full disclosure of the impacts prior to operation, if these disclosed impacts would be subject to the EIS requirements of documentation and public input, and if the decision-makers would make their decision with true thoughtfulness as to what would promote the public good, conditioning their approval of the Superferry on strict requirements that would effectively protect Kaua‘i against coqui frogs and mongooses; drugs and theft rings; and overloading of public beaches, roads, parks and other facilities. This may sound like a big order, but this is the “pono” way because the consequences of not addressing the impacts could be devastating to the economy and environment of Kaua‘i.
Most who favor the Superferry would certainly not object to requirements that will prevent invasive species, drugs, and theft rings from coming into Kaua‘i. Nor would they object to methods that prevent collisions with whales or protect against overloading parks. That’s a lot we all agree on.
What upset many who favor the Superferry was the rude, “no-aloha” way that some protesters used against innocent passengers of the Superferry. I agree that such behavior is completely unacceptable.
Some Superferry supporters also don’t believe that negative impacts could happen. Or, they believe that even though there might be negative impacts, nothing can be done about it. Or, they believe that the Superferry is being unfairly singled out from other forms of inter-island transport.
In fact, the Superferry singles itself out. No other form of inter-island transport allows drive-on, drive-off traffic. Nor does any other commercial ship move as fast (40 knots versus an average of 12 knots.) These huge differences are enough reason to require an EIS. The Superferry will be like a highway connecting Honolulu to Kaua‘i. Just think of all the things that could come over easily by highway: cars, homeless, thieves, tour buses with 60 people per bus, motor bikes, surfers, and campers to overwhelm our already inadequate infrastructure. Our young people, too, could zoom over to Honolulu in a car. Can you imagine the problems that could create?
On the first run of the Superferry to Maui, three men from O‘ahu raided Iao Stream on Maui of 900 “imu” rocks and filled their trucks to transport those rocks to O‘ahu, an apparent violation of state conservation rules. This is exactly what those who want an EIS first are concerned about (are limu and maile next?). It demonstrates the importance of identifying potential negative impacts and addressing them before Superferry operations are allowed.
In the 1960s, people began to realize that when we overlook or ignore environmental impacts, we often hurt ourselves, others or our community, often unintentionally and often out of ignorance. For example, DDT was used to kill vermin and mosquitoes to stop disease or harmful insects, but it entered the food chain and ended up killing useful species and contaminating mothers’ breast milk. Federal and state EIS laws were passed to prevent such unconscious and poor decision-making.
Governor Lingle has announced that the Superferry will resume operations to Kaua‘i on Sept. 26 and that the force of government will be used to facilitate its landing at Nawiliwili. This announcement was made before our judicial system has ruled as to whether the Superferry, under the law, can legally operate while an Environmental Assessment is being prepared. The law itself states that “acceptance of a required final statement shall be a condition precedent to implementation of the proposed action.” As a matter of law, the operation needs to be halted.
The governor and the Superferry officials believe that only an insignificant minority of Kauaians want an EIS before the Superferry is allowed to run.
We know better.
We know that many Kauaians of all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds want an EIS first. This is because we love Kaua‘i and don’t want to see it harmed. We also want the law to be enforced on both sides of the controversy.
Tomorrow afternoon, Sept. 20, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., before Governor Lingle holds her meeting at the Convention Hall, a group of concerned citizens is gathering on the lawn in front of the Historic County Building to show support for an “EIS First.” With respect and dignity, in the highest of democratic traditions, Kaua‘i has a chance to show the world how much we care about our home. “If you don’t show, they won’t know.” Bring your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Now is the time to stand up and be counted.