Kanahele EIS Comments

I worked for many years on the SS Independence, one of two sister-ships operated in Hawaiian waters by the now defunct America Hawaii Cruises. As a crew member of this vessel I must have gone in and out of Kahului Harbor a couple hundred times. The thing I remember most about the approach and entrance to the harbor were the ever present strong trade winds, the often rough seas, and the narrow turning basin. I also remember the strong harbor surges and winds that sometimes would cause our mooring lines to snap as they strained to keep the ship tied to pier one.


The Proposed Harbor Design is Unsafe

It appears to me that placing a breakwater along the western edge of the turning basin will make it more difficult for larger vessels to maneuver in the harbor safely, and especially those vessels that will require the assistance of tug boats to turn either eastward or westward in the turning basin.

Also, I think cruise ships and freighters may have difficulty making the U turn into pier 5 as these vessels would expose their broadside to incoming surf, surge, and trade winds from the harbor opening.

• Is there enough room for large vessels to turn in the turning basin?
• Will the Westside breakwater restrict the ability of tugboats to maneuver ships safely?
• Will surf, surge, and wind make it dangerous for ships turning into pier 5?
• Can you provide drawings to show how ships of different sizes will maneuver in the turning basin?
• Can you provide drawings to show how the west break water will impact the ability of tugboats to maneuver ships to piers 1, 2, and 5?

The EIS Does Not Adequately Address the Impact of Harbor Expansion on Hawaiian Culture

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