Invasive Species

Helping to stop their movement between islands.

It is everyone’s responsibility to help prevent invasive plant and animal species from spreading throughout the islands. Hawaii Superferry recognizes that each Hawaiian island is home to plants, animals and fish that are found nowhere else on earth, giving all of us a big responsibility to protect them. Invasive species crowd out our native plants, prey on our unique birdlife, and take food away from our fish. Invasive species threaten our natural wonders, agriculture, economy and quality of life. Working with the Department of Agriculture and invasive species experts on each of the islands we’ll serve, we have developed policies that are even stricter than those required. And we’ve designed pest prevention technologies right into the ship itself. Hawaii Superferry’s hull is coated in a special non-toxic paint that is extremely slippery, ensuring that marine organisms do not attach to the bottom of the ship. And Hawaii Superferry is without ballast tanks, eliminating another common place for organisms to hitch a ride.

The following procedures are an important part of our commitment to protecting the delicate ecology of each of the islands we visit:

• No plants or plant parts may be transported without first being inspected at the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s plant quarantine office. If the plant is approved, you will be given a certificate of inspection. No plants will be allowed onboard without this certificate.
• Vehicles will only be allowed onto the ferry if they are free of dirt, including the wheels. Boats, trailers and other items should be clean of invasive seaweeds. This is necessary to ensure invasive species aren’t transported accidentally.
• All vehicles, containers, and baggage are subject to inspection.
• ONLY domestic cats, dogs, pigeons, and domestic rabbits, will be allowed to travel on the Ferry without a HDOA certificate.  No other domestic animals – including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects – will be allowed to travel on the Ferry.
• All animals traveling should be clean and in good health and not unduly aggressive. Female dogs in oestrus (heat) and females with suckling young will not be accepted consistent with USDA recommendations.
• Domestic livestock and poultry, which means ONLY domestic cattle, horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep, and chickens and roosters, will be allowed to travel on Carrier's Vessels if accompanied by a HDOA Certificate of Ownership & Movement (HDOA Animal Industry Form DC-44). No swine of any kind are permitted on board, including pigs, potbellied pigs, hogs, boars and sows.
• A DC 44 can be obtained from the port staff on the day of the sail.
  

One of the best tool of prevention is education. The Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council public outreach workgroup is helping us to develop this educational program.

We have enlisted environmental experts on every island who will serve, to advise us how to be as eco-friendly as we can be. We have had countless meetings with the general public, as well, to address their concerns, to listen and respond, to learn and improve.

For more information about why these procedures are necessary, click here. Your participation protects Hawai'i and keeps it the special place that it is!