A blessing was held on Molokai on Tuesday for an interisland mega-yacht that will start making regularly scheduled cruise voyages this week.
It’s a plan years in the making though some on Molokai say they’ve just recently found out it’s coming. The community there is divided between supporters and those who fought off a bigger cruise ship attempt in 2003.
American Safari Cruises operates large luxury yachts in Alaska, Mexico and the Pacific Northwest. As of this week, they add Hawaii to the list.
"We focus on the smaller places and the areas big ships can’t go," said Dan Blanchard of American Safari Cruises.
Their itinerary originates in Lahaina and includes cruising past Molokini and Kahoolawe, the Big Island, Lanai and Molokai.
"For all they know, bigger ships might think that, hey, it’s ok now, now you can go to Molokai," said Molokai resident Patricia Hammond. "Kupuna are saying this might open a crack."
Those concerned about the ship made their points known on the day of the blessing in Molokai. Many of them had also opposed the efforts of Holland America and Princess to make Molokai a stop on their interisland itineraries. They both walked away from the idea after protests. American Safari Cruises says they’re nothing like the big ships.
"We’re kind of the antithesis of a cruise ship," Blanchard says. "You’re dealing with 36 passengers max, which is usually like 30, and you’re talking about a vessel that’s 145 feet or just a little bit longer than some of the ferries that run around Maui County."
The operators say the plans have been in the works and under discussion with some in the Molokai business and cultural community since 2005. Their original plan was to launch in 2008.
Others in the community say they hadn’t learned about it until this week.
"We have a very few community members/businesspeople that took it upon themselves to do all this legwork, invite this vessel in, bring it here," Hammond says.
A community meeting is planned for Friday.
"The folks that are concerned about growth on Molokai, I think their concerns are well put," Blanchard says. "This is the type of client that is really much more culturally attuned."
The itineraries describe on-island activities with local providers, though some say the all-inclusive nature of the trip could mean less side spending.
The tickets range from about $6,000 to more than $8,500 per person per week.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
