There was no blockade on the water for the American Safari Explorer, a 36-passenger tour boat as it pulled into port at Kaunakakai Harbor at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

A major show of force by federal state and county law enforcement officers made sure of that.

At dawn, law enforcement officers came down on a lone paddler out for exercise who didn?t realize the area was off limits.

An hour and a half before and after the American Safari Cruise vessel pulled into port, Coast Guard and state law e enforcement officers were on the water while county police, state sheriffs and other federal agents were on shore.

The crowd of protestors demonstrated on the docks shouting at the crewmembers and crew that they were not welcomed. The state had reached a compromise with community leaders that there would not be a repeat of the November? blockade, but some say the high security plan backfired.

"Most of the protest was not against the cruise ship people, it was against the strong-arming tactics of the governor. It was way too heavy-handed waste of taxpayers? money. Ridiculous," said Molokai resident Walter Ritte.

?They are upset with the large presence here but if they were in our shoes they would recognize we have to make sure we have enough personnel on hand to make sure law and order occurs as well as making sure everyone is safe,? said State Land Director.

A community grass roots group organized to help protect the islands resources and who had been negotiating with the state, said it was not part of today?s protest but it was not happy with what transpired.

?We are a small island our protestors have not been violent have not been threatening and this was quite excessive in our opinion,? said Kamalu Poepoe.

The group expects to keep negotiating with the state over future visits by other tour groups.