Growing Pains

It was an unusual battle of epic proportions--pitting a flotilla of surfers atop their boards against a mechanized, sea faring giant. Kauai's recent bout with the Hawaii Superferry attracted throngs of people, onlookers and activists alike, exhibiting perhaps one of the oddest, yet most advantageous and eclectic mix from all walks of life. From the modern day aristocrat and intellectual, to the everyday beach bum—these islanders gathered, each feeling the need to become intrinsically involved in the fight to protect their island. And such a display of unity in diversity could not have come at a more opportune moment.

The latest face-off between disgruntled islanders and the first inter-island car-carrying monstrosity has finally pushed many of these locals far beyond their comfort zone. As a few entrepreneurial spirits herald The Superferry as a blessing for business, others (and rightfully so) are ironically threatened by the thought of a bolstering economy for their sleepy island.

Though the prospect of inexpensive inter-island traveling, coupled with an increase in tourism and the luring of big-name business may seem like quite the blessing from an outsider’s perspective; for locals, this could only mean one thing: their eventual displacement from the island which they have always called home due to an economic disparity.

The island of Kauai may already have its fair share of tourism which perhaps, in some ways, benefit the island’s economy. However, the seduction of alleged wealth and commerce associated with the Superferry’s coming must not allow locals to fall victim to another ploy engineered by the selfish individuals who seek to benefit from the Superferry’s future voyages.

Yes, with the Superferry’s ability to offer quick and convenient transportation between islands, the island will be more accessible to outsiders, and the prospect of opening bigger businesses becomes a real possibility.

Yes, such businesses may stimulate the economy by creating more jobs and providing more opportunities for residents and non-residents alike. Ideally, the Superferry may even place Kauai on the map, bolstering tourism and possibly even earning Kaui the coveted title of the most desired Hawaiian vacation destination.

But before getting carried away with the host of endless possibilities that can be sparked by the docking of a mere boat, let us not neglect some of the negative economic repercussions that locals may expect remorsefully.

The increase in big business will inevitably increase competition, and smaller businesses that have faithfully served the island’s community may be annihilated. Their pockets are simply not deep enough to survive price wars that accompany competition from business giants.

The increase in visitors and business investors are likely to find more interest in the island, thus causing the invasion of not only the business market, but also the real-estate market. Already, big names like Pierce Brosnan have already purchased land in some of the most breathtaking areas of the island.

While this not only prevents access for islanders from prime beaches and the like due to the sales of property sales, consequently it is a growing and disturbing predicament for many locals. Future surge in the real-estate market will displace the islanders themselves, due to the pricing in the housing market that will exponentially rise because of wealthy transplants.

The displacement of locals in exchange for a bolstered economy—it seems to reflect the recent paradigm of paradise. Parallels could be drawn between the current situation that threatens the local islanders of Kauai to that of other islands elsewhere. For example, the islanders on Guam face a similar plight as complacent Guamanians are already preparing for the incursion of a large military contingent. The influx will likely cause similar repercussions on their island’s economy, while they leave the battle to vociferous and efficacious activists.

While Garibaldi, a former Hawaiian Airlines chief financial officer who says that the airlines too once faced a similar predicament, believes that the Superferry has the support of the silent majority of residents throughout the island; one should be wary to accept such claims offered from such partisan interests. Though activists have already led the fight against the docking of the Superferry on the island of Kauai, others must not hesitate to continue the battle against what could ultimately force the very progeny of many islanders to be priced out of their own lands. Silent locals must take heed to what is going on—for the Superferry’s outcome will soon determine many of their own destiny.