Recent KGMB Coverage, etc.

Gotta compliment KGMB-9. They have consistently provided the most coverage on HSF of any local TV station. In the past 24 hours they have had the following video reports, including the first one referencing the Belt Collins Rapid Risk Assessment:

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9178/40/
"DOT: Superferry Needs to Do More for Environment"
Written by KGMB9 News
August 20, 2008 07:55 PM

"The Superferry gets high marks in most areas, but needs to do more to protect the environment. That's according to a study released today by the Department of Transportation.

The 200-thousand dollar risk assessment found that out of 40 categories, the Superferry did poorly in three areas.

First, 23-percent of vehicles were not inspected for banned agricultural items. That covers everything from plants and seeds, to rocks and coral.

They also need to improve inspections of car wheel wells. Also, many muddy vehicles were allowed. That D.O.T. says that could be risky because seeds and other things could be in the soil.

Finally, the assessment says the Superferry needs to screen more passengers. It found 17-percent of those without vehicles were not asked if they were carrying prohibited items...

...The Superferry plans to sail to the Big Island by next summer. It doesn't know when it'll service Kauai again.

Also see:

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9187/40/
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9140/108/

And lastly, the following is an interesting report today from The Molokai Dispatch:

Super Ferry Sighting on North Shore
BY ANDRES MADUENO Thursday 8-21-08
Visitors alarmed by closeness of ferry to Kalawao.
Visitors to Kalawao expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry nearly a quarter mile off the shoreline.
By Andres Madueno

"Passengers on a tour of Kalawao last Tuesday got more than a beautiful trek through history.
They also received an alarmingly close sighting of the Hawaii Super Ferry, just off the North Shore of Molokai. The sighting happened at about 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 12 passing between the Mokapa and Okala islands.

“I think that is very disrespectful. This is holy land and they don’t have permission to be here,” said Rigo Torres, a visitor from Oahu. “They were really close – no more than a quarter of a mile away.”

Several of the passengers on Damien Tours’ Kalaupapa tour that day expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry so close to the shoreline."

Reminds me of that boater incident reported to Randy Awo and the Oversight Task Force Committee.
See you all at the harbor. Aloha, Brad