Today the Hawaii Superferry resumed passenger service to Maui from Oahu and was met by a crowd of environmental and community protestors at the Maui Kahului Harbor. The protestors were on surf boards, in a canoe, and on land. Passengers were met with shouts of, "We don't want you here." The Coast Guard and other law enforcement officers were on-hand to ensure the safety of protestors and passengers.
The Hawaii Superferry had been banned from using the Maui Kahului Harbor through an injuction by Maui Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cordoza in October. Because of the injuction the ferry service had to shutdown until an environmental assessment of the harbor had been completed.
Through a special session of the Hawaii Legislature and a bill signed into law by Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, the ferry service has been allowed to continue while the environmental assessment is being completed.