Standing on Our Own

SF GATE

Recently, it was reported in the Honolulu Advertiser that the Mayor of Maui, Charmaine Tavares was concerned with the amount of “marine resources that are leaving [Maui].” In the article, Tavares said, “vehicle checks at the Maui and Honolulu ferry terminals are inconsistent and can't be counted on to intercept invasive species and natural resource contraband.” She recommends that the Superferry management should “pay for state conservation and agriculture officers to assist with screening on a permanent, daily basis,” in order to help out with the screening process of Superferry passengers.
None of this is particularly controversial, Charmaine addressed the issues that the people of Maui had concerns about. For example, many of the opponents of the Superferry were concerned about Opihi picking and in fact, Opihi was found in the vehicles of Superferry passengers. Another concern was the finding in the report that many of the vehicles on the Superferry were “excessively muddy.” The Superferry had agreed to the condition that the vehicles would undertake an undercarriage cleaning, and removing the mud from the tires. These conditions were agreed upon by the Superferry. Many businesses, throughout the world have had to agree to certain conditions in order to operate in a County, City or Town. This is not just something made up by the Maui County Council or the Mayor’s office.

However, what really concerns me is the comments portion of the article. The comments in the Honolulu Advertiser and Maui News are often posted by anonymous sources, who use screen names to post angry missives at the subjects of the article. Of course, this is nothing new, before online comments were provided, many letters to the editor were signed by “-Name Withheld.” Nevertheless, I believe the comments pertaining to “Tavares faults ferry screening,” are quite telling. “Raidernation” writes, “…I see I look at all of the islands as HAWAII. One state. One people…” He continues to say that Maui sees itself as isolationists and that anyone who lives in Hawaii should be able to fish anywhere. What “Raidernation” does not address is that there are severe consequences to the reef and to ocean life when people “fish anywhere.” Over-fishing can lead to the loss of adult fish, which will decrease the population of fish. If there are fewer and fewer fish to breed and populate, there will be fewer fish to catch.
OverFishing.org

The comments degenerate from there. Some make bizarre comparisons between certain neighborhoods blocking “outsiders” from shopping at their Wal-Mart. In fact, one commentator wrote, after saying that Maui has made them feel unwelcome, “Go sit in your barren pineapple fields, walk by your closed businesses, and cry at how this could have happened.” I suppose that they have a point. Maui has become dependent on outsiders for help. This has made us completely vulnerable. Whether it is a new infestation of insects or someone over-fishing or harvesting opihi, the Superferry has brought a lot of uncertainty and made a lot of people uncomfortable. And when the Mayor finds out that the Superferry has not held up their end of the bargain, she is ridiculed. It is time for Maui to stand on its own. Clearly, Oahu thinks that Maui is some kind of backwards county and without Oahu, we would be helpless. Xenophobia is not the answer, nor the solution, but the over-harvesting of natural resources is too dangerous to take lightly.

Honolulu Advertiser

Kaua'i protest



Superferry Alert (Free Hawaii TV)