Kauai Protesters Say They May Block Ferry Again

HONOLULU -- Some of the protestors who stopped the Hawaii Superferry at Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai on Monday went to Oahu to explain why they did it and why they may do it again.

The leader of one group said he sent a message to Superferry officials, warning them the last confrontation will "look like a picnic" if the ferry tries to go to Kauai without an environmental assessment.

The first protest was a showdown that lasted for hours. As the Superferry tried to dock at Nawiliwili Harbor, protestors in canoes, on surfboards and body boards dodged the Coast Guard.

Authorities arrested several people, but the protest stopped the Superferry.

The Kauai residents who oppose the Superferry on Monday gathered at the state Capitol.

"The Superferry makes it possible for all kinds of cars, buses, coolers straight from the ferry to the aina," Kalehua Ham Young said.

The protesters said they felt it was necessary to resort to civil disobedience and block the harbor.

"Well, we had tried a number of ways previously quote, unquote the legal way, and that was all turned aside turned a deaf ear to us. So what was there left to do? To bring this to a head to bring it to the attention of general public," Dennis Chun said.

The protesters said that until there is an environmental impact statement, they will do it again.

"There is no reason to not have an (environmental impact statement). It's state law, and it should be done before they begin operations," People for Protection of Kauai leader Rich Hoeppner said.

A number of protesters said they would accept the Superferry if it gets the EIS.

Superferry officials were in court on Maui. They were not available for comment.