Cruise lines sign off on local anti-pollution pact
A year-long effort between major cruise lines serving Hawaii and agencies responsible for environmental protection in the state has resulted in an anti-pollution agreement.
Its proponents say the voluntary keep-it-clean agreement does more to protect the ocean and Hawaii’s shorelines and marine life than state, federal or international laws. Environmentalists say it does not go far enough.
At an official signing of a “memorandum of agreement” in Gov. Ben Cayetano’s office yesterday, the governor said the cruise lines have promised “to be good stewards of the environment” and in return the state promised to be fair in its enforcement of the rules.
The members of the association signing the agreement are Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruises and World Explorer Cruises.
Cruise lines have become a significant part of Hawaii’s economy and some places -such as Hilo, Kauai and even parts of tourism-rich Maui – have a high level of economic dependence on the ship-borne tourists, Cayetano said.
John Hansen, president of the non-profit North West CruiseShip Association, said it is in the cruise lines’ own financial interest to be more than ordinarily careful about the environment. Cruise lines marketing Hawaii and other destinations try to bring people to the most beautiful places in the world which means these places have to be kept beautiful, Hansen said.
“We depend on the high-quality environment and we’re here to protect it,” Hansen said.
The Hawaii chapter of the environmentalist Sierra Club called the agreement “toothless,” arguing it contains no penalties for violations and that some of the companies signing it have been guilty of pollution despite making similar agreements in other jurisdictions.
By Russ Lynch
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