Opinion ID: 2515085
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Permanent Injunction Granted, Operating Agreement Voided, and Attorney's Fees and Costs Authorized

Text: On October 9, 2007, the circuit court granted Sierra Club's request to enforce the judgment and permanently enjoin Superferry and DOT from implementing the Superferry project at Kahului Harbor while an EA was being prepared. The court found and concluded, among other things that: (1) Sierra Club already prevailed on the merits of its claim that an EA must be prepared; (2) Sierra Club demonstrated the possibility of irreparable injury with respect to environmental impacts of Superferry's operations; and (3) the public interest in the environmental review process supported the grant of a permanent injunction.
Regarding the permanent injunction, the court further ordered: a. A permanent injunction is hereby issued prohibiting [Superferry] from using the barge attached to Pier 2 at the Kahului Harbor, in Kahului, Maui, Hawai`i or any of premises or state lands granted by [DOT] to [Superferry] at the Kahului Harbor for the passenger terminal, for inspection and ticketing and for roadways to and from Pier 2 and the non-harbor Kahului roadway system. b. A permanent injunction is hereby issued prohibiting [DOT] from permitting [Superferry] from using the barge attached to Pier 2 at the Kahului Harbor or any of premises or state lands granted by [DOT] to [Superferry] at the Kahului Harbor for the passenger terminal, for inspection and ticketing and for roadways to and from Pier 2 and the non-harbor Kahului roadway system. c. This permanent injunction shall remain in full, [sic] force and effect while the Environmental Assessment ... is being prepared and until the environmental review process required by HRS Chapter 343 and the underlying regulations, HAR งง 11-200-1 et. seq., has been lawfully concluded.
Regarding the operating agreement between DOT and Superferry, the circuit court ordered: As it relates to the Kahului Harbor in Kahului, Maui, Hawai`i, the Harbors Operating Agreement entered into on the 7th day of September, 2005 between [DOT] and [Superferry], as amended on the 25th of October, 2005, is hereby declared void because it was not preceded by the requisite [EA] which was a condition precedent to approval of the request and commencement of the proposed action. HRS ง 343-5.
Additionally, the circuit court authorized Sierra Club to request attorney's fees and costs, stating: Plaintiffs, as the prevailing parties, may, by separate motion, file a request for the reimbursement of their reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in this case.