(27 Aug 2007)
1. Pan from chanting protesters to Hawaii Superferry
2. Wide of protesters on pier
3. Wide of protesters in the water
4. Wide of Hawaii Superferry
5. Pan from road to protesters gathered on the shore
6. Wide of protesters
7. Wide of coast guard boat attempting to push swimming protesters back
8. Mid of surfer next to Superferry
9. Wide of Superferry leaving the port
10. Mid passengers on Superferry deck, pan to protesters
11. Zoom in to Superferry
STORYLINE:
The Coast Guard helped clear protesters who briefly disrupted the second voyage of Hawaii's first-ever passenger ferry service among the Hawaiian islands on Sunday, but the fight over the ship's environmental impact is far from over.
The Hawaii Superferry made two packed trips on Sunday, two days ahead of schedule, after the state Supreme Court ruled last week that the state should have required an environmental report before the ferry launched.
State transportation officials, noting that the court did not explicitly say the ship could not run, still allowed the service to start.
Protesters and environmentalists argue that the ferry's plan to ply 400 miles (644 kilometres) of Hawaii waters each day endangers whales, threatens to spread invasive species and will worsen traffic and pollution.
A dozen people on surfboards blocked the ship for more than an hour from docking at Kauai's Lihue harbour on Sunday, but the Coast Guard cleared them away.
Hundreds more protesters onshore beat drums and chanted in support of the surfers.
Opponents planned to ask a judge on Monday for an injunction to halt the ferry service until the environmental study is conducted.
Hawaii Superferry Incorporated, in a statement late on Sunday, said it was disappointed in the delay on Kauai, for which 22-thousand tickets have been sold already.
Loaded with people attracted by a special 5 US dollar fare for the 100-mile (160-kilometre) voyage past scenic island shores, the Superferry completed its maiden run to Maui and arrived back in Honolulu on time on Sunday, then began its trip to Kauai.
The environmentalists' attorney, Isaac Hall, said he will seek an injunction to prevent the Superferry from doing business until environmental studies are completed.
Superferry supporters say the ferry is being treated unfairly because other harbour users such as cruise ships didn't have to go through extensive environmental reviews.
Superferry officials say the ship's water jet propulsion system means there are no exposed propellers to strike aquatic animals.
Before Sunday, the only way to travel among the islands where an estimated 1.2 (m) million people live and tens of thousands of tourists arrive each day, was by the local airlines.
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