WAIMANALO, Hawaii -- The president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau said many small farmers are disappointed by the Hawaii Superferry's latest setback.

Dean Okimoto owns Nalo Farms in Waimanalo. He is also the president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Okimoto said he would like to use the Superferry to transport vegetables and herbs in his own refrigerated trucks to Maui.

Hawaii's interisland airlines, which farmers use to send their produce now, do not ship chilled containers. He said farmers were hoping the Superferry would offer an alternative.

"It just gives more opportunities for farmers to expand their businesses and interisland is a key component to really sustainability of (agriculture) in the future," Okimoto said.

Farmers will testify in favor of any pro-Superferry proposal if the legislature goes into special session, Okimoto said.