Big Island Buyer\’s Brokers

There certainly has been a lot of news concerning Hawaii’s Superferry lately! The matter seems to have taken on an un-healthy “Them versus Us” political cast, and those of us not given to heated arguments must just hope that time will heal the wounds caused by hasty words spoken in anger. In the meantime it seems likely that the inter-Island, high-speed ferry will be given a chance to run between Kauai, Oahu and Maui while an environmental assessment is finally done.

The big question for those of us on the Big Island is whether or not the Superferry is likely to eventually come and go from Kawaihae Harbor, which is a part of the Waimea community. The very question stirs all kinds of worries and hopes, spicing dinners and back yard conversations with vexing questions. Much of the decision-making will be outside the realm of social implication, however. It will rest with good, old economics. For the ferry service to be successful it will have to be well-ridden in both directions, and that remains an uncertain gamble.

The development of hotel facilities on the Kohala coast of the Big Island did not really get going until the 1980’s, when the costs of developing had all ready gone sky high. As a result, our glittering resorts are expensive and are geared toward the more affluent travelers. Will the targeted ferry riders be able to afford these lush meccas? Will they want to? It seems the ferry is best suited to the family on a budget with trailer in tow.

Another unique aspect of the Big Island is its relative lack of camping-parks, where a family can park their camper and trailer boat for a weekend at the beach. Probably a whole bunch of folks on Oahu have dreams of taking the family, the boat and the RV’s to the Big Island but don’t realize there aren’t any parks to stay at while they’re here. If they come anyway, will the County of Hawaii create more camping places, or will we just have popular roadside spots where people have to make do?

The Superferry will surely be a great benefit to heavy equipment contractors, who will be able to whisk their broken machinery to town for repairs and move large equipment between the Islands to help them compete state-wide. At the moment the inter-island barges are slow and heavily burdened with work place rules that limit pickup and delivery options. Also, there will likely be Big Island produce as well as tons and tons of lava rock making its way to the City along with the school groups and dance troops. I expect Young Brothers will see a real drop in their business.

Will the Superferry hit whales? My experience in whale country seems to be typical for off-shore fishermen. We have had many close calls even at low speed. Every fisherman I know says the same thing … the likelihood of a collision is very, very high. Are we wrong? I certainly hope so!

Imua,

Bill Jardine

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