This past week, the new Hawaii Superferry transported additional Hawaii National Guard troops and equipment to Maui to assist in the cleanup of our most recent rain storms (read stories here and here). Hawaii Homeland Security and the Hawaii National Guard have been following the progress of the Hawaii Superferry since it's inception, hoping the Supeferry would be successful and available for disaster response. Until the launch of the Superferry, disasters outside of Oahu required a slow response as a result of available transport to the neighboring islands. Transportation of resources required using slow moving barges, or air transport via helicopter (one vehicle at a time). It has long been a concern of planners in charge of responding to disasters.

It is understandable that there is a small (and seemingly well financed) population that desires to keep Maui as a small, rural community. However, populations are growing, infrastructure needs to be developed, and the Hawaii Superferry is part of that transportation infrastructure for our community. When the Superferry first launched, protesters yelled and screamed at the passengers, saying things like, "go home... we don't want you here... go back where you came from!" And those were the nicer comments shouted to the passengers. Yet, in time of need, these same protesters are absent, and the majority of residents welcome the use of the Superferry, and the quick response that it provides in times of disaster. The Superferry is a necessary mode of transportation for not only emergency responders, but for small businesses that need competition to lower transportation costs of their goods to Oahu. Local people will reap the benefits of competition from Oahu car dealerships to lower the price of new and used cars, lest we travel to Oahu to buy a car and drive it back home via the Superferry. From furniture to construction materials, the local consumer now has an alternative to the limited inventory and high prices available on Maui, via the Superferry. Matson and Young Brothers have long had a monopoly on tranporting goods between the islands. The local consumer always reaps the economic benefits of additional competition in any business... and market forces always determines which businesses prosper.

Thank Goodness for the Superferry