Jeff Sacher

Dear Lt. Adams: I'm sorry that the Coast Guard has been put into the position it has with regard to Hawaii Superferry. I know you folks are there for us, but what took place in Nawiliwili harbor was to be a peaceful demonstration. The presence of uniformed personnel and guns created undue tension. I realize the Coast Guard was simply following orders, and I can respect that. However, since a new security zone is being proposed specifically for Hawaii Superferry in Nawiliwili, I believe the Coast Guard's offer to hold public hearings shows that the Coast Guard is open to hear from all parties concerned. I sincerely appreciate that. Lt. Adams, our State Supreme Court and the Maui Circuit Court both, after many trials and much testimony, decided that an EA must be done prior to Hawaii Superferry beginning service. Very simply put, I believe the Coast Guard is being asked to break the law. In addition, your organization is being used, not for the good of the people - which is my understanding as to why the Coast Guard exists - but to assist one private business. I believe the Coast Guard is there to serve the people. By setting up this new security zone, not only are the people being treated as terrorists, but their First Amendment rights are being violated. In setting up this new security zone the Coast Guard is not being neutral, but rather, taking the side of big business. Hawaii Superferry has become a very divisive issue. Oftentimes issues such as this can be neutralized through dialogue. Your offer to hold public hearings is the opportunity not only for the Coast Guard to hear all sides of this issue, but to afford others a more objective view by also hearing all sides of the issue. This is also a matter of folks being able to have a say about what happens in their communities. I believe the Constitution was originally set up so that only in something like four extreme cases would the Federal Government get involved; otherwise, State?s rights prevailed. This is the same thing, but on a much smaller scale. The Governor has decided that one business is good for all of Hawaii and that, regardless of what our Courts have ruled, she is going to make exceptions for that company. And in doing so, she is not allowing the neighbor islands to have any input. It is said, ?A body that has no ears to listen, has no head to govern.? Please listen to the concerns of the people so that you can make an educated and enlightened decision as to whether or not this new security zone is right and just. I do hope you will hold hearings on the neighbor islands so that more voices can be heard in order to help you with your decision. Sincerely, Jeff Sacher Kawaihae, Big Island