Hawaii Superferry Hilo Briefing - March 21, 2007

Hawaii Superferry Informational Briefing Hilo March 21, 2007




Explain how buses can be accommodated. Buses will be welcomed on board Hawaii Superferry. This is a wonderful opportunity for school groups and sports team to travel together with their gear. Buses will need to be booked in advance to ensure space. One price is charged for the vehicle; passengers pay separately. For information on group travel, please see details on our website.




Has this project already been approved and how has the Native Hawaiian community been engaged (Civic Clubs, OHA, etc.)? HSF is committed to informing our communities of our operational plans and listening to concerns. We have done hundreds of presentations to various community, civic, and other groups around the state, including participation in 22 public informational briefings conducted by the DOT Harbors Division. Members of the Native Hawaiian Community have attended many of these meetings and provided valuable input. There is no approval process.




Is there a conflict with Terry O’Halloran having served on the SAC and now working for HSF? We do not believe there is a conflict. Terry O’Halloran has served as a member of the Sanctuary Advisory Committee (SAC) for the past four years and currently represents commercial shipping. Mr. O’Halloran has demonstrated a decades long commitment to protecting marine life in Hawaii. He joined Hawaii Superferry in April, 2006 and the Hawaii Superferry whale avoidance policy was created and reviewed by the SAC prior to Mr. O’Halloran’s joining the company.




Why won’t HSF pursue an EIS? The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration determined, through a categorical exclusion, that an environmental review was not needed for a federal loan guarantee. The State’s Office of Environmental Quality Control found that an Environmental Assessment (EA) was not required. These determinations were confirmed by the Courts. No ferry operations under the Maritime Administration have been required to obtain an EA. Other carriers such as Matson, Horizon, PASHA, Young Brothers and the Cruise ships are not required to provide an EA either.

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HSF has proactively addressed environmental and community concerns by implementing policies and procedures that in many cases go beyond what is required by regulations. Please see our website at www. hawaiisuperferry.com for more information in a document entitled Environmental Commitments.




Are there plans to transport military equipment and personnel? There are no plans to transport military equipment or personnel. Should the military chose to use HSF services, as they do with airlines, we would welcome them as customers.




Will HSF commit to traveling at slower speeds to avoid whales? As part of Hawaii Superferry’s Whale Avoidance Policy, our vessels traveling in waters 100 fathoms (600 feet) or less will slow down to speeds no greater than 25 knots. These shallow areas are where the whale concentrations are known to be greater. Vessel captains will change course and/or speed as needed to avoid whales.




What assurances are there that your whale avoidance policy will work? The whale avoidance policy represents the best technology and policy available today. First, the policy is about avoiding whales – and routes have been changed during whale season to avoid areas with the highest concentration of whales. Second, Hawaii Superferry will employ two whale spotters aboard the bridge during whale season, which will be supported by motion stabilizing binoculars and night vision goggles. Third, the vessel is highly maneuverable even at high speeds. Whale avoidance is a priority for Hawaii Superferry. That said, it is not possible to issue a guarantee as natural conditions can be unpredictable.




What steps have been taken to address traffic concerns on all islands? Based on traffic studies, arrival and departure times have been adjusted to avoid the busiest travel times on each island. Also, the port facilities have been designed to accommodate all the vehicles waiting to board the ferry. Additionally, Hawaii Superferry staff will assist in managing traffic as vehicles exit and enter the facility to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic.




Where has all the money to fund this project come from? Don’t some of the investors have relationships with the military?

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Hawaii Superferry Inc. is a privately funded company. Some of our investors have previously served our country through the military or in government. John Lehman, chairman of HSF served as the secretary of the United States Navy from 1981 – 1987.


Who sits on HSF’s board of directors? The membership of the HSF Board of Directors can be found on our website at hawaiisuperferry.com/board.




What security measures will be in place to identify individuals traveling with fake Ids? All passengers require a government issued picture ID to board Hawaii Superferry. These will be checked upon entry to the port facility. In addition, those traveling with vehicles must have a current drivers license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If the driver is not the registered owner, the driver must have a notarized authorization to move letter.




Will the EIS process be updated to include impacts of the ferry system on Native Hawaiian cultural and gathering practices? There is no EIS pending for HSF operations.




Will the allotted staff be able to adequately handle screening if the maximum load (of passengers and vehicles) comes through? Yes, the planned number of port staff will be able to handle all security and agriculture screening. Staff levels will be adjusted depending on passenger and vehicle loads.




Who is hiring and training ferry staff? Port staff are hired and trained by Hawaii Superferry. Staff working on board the vessel are hired and trained by Hornblower Marine Services, who is contracted by HSF for vessel operations. For employment information, please visit hawaiisuperferry.com.




Can you clarify the comment/quote of Mr. Lehman in the Pacific Business News? Why is what he said no longer relevant? This question relates to comments regarding HSF providing transportation to the military. During the early stages of company development, the potential of providing transportation services to the military was included in the list of 3 of 4

possible market segments. It was subsequently determined that the regularly scheduled service did meet the needs of the military and as a result there are no plans to transport military troops or equipment.


How has DLNR and OHA been involved in this project (to ensure Hawaii’s natural resources and Native Hawaiian concerns have been considered)? Hawaii Superferry has met with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to keep them informed of our operational plans and to discuss any issues. Hawaii Superferry is committed to educating passengers about protecting our environment, such as how to prevent the spread of invasive species. Regulations for protecting Hawaii’s natural resources are under the authority of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.




Will there be more public meetings on the Big Island? Hawaii Superferry will continue to participate in various public meetings on the Big Island and is committed to continue its public outreach effort to help keep residents informed and listen to community comments. Hawaii Superferry participated in all 22 public informational briefings conducted statewide by the Department of Transportation Harbors Division. There is no additional DOT Public Informational Briefing scheduled.




If there comes a time when HSF has a contract with the military, will this be disclosed and if so, when and how? Hawaii Superferry has no contract with the military, however, should the military chose to utilize the services of HSF on our regularly scheduled voyages, as they do with the airlines, we would welcome them as customers.

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