LIHUE, Hawaii -- A group of state senators on Sunday listened to Kauai residents who oppose the Hawaii Superferry for several hours on Sunday as part of a series of hearings on the neighbor islands.

Lawmakers plan to allow the Superferry to sail while environmental studies are done, but many on Kauai oppose that idea.

Ever since Superferry was blocked from Nawiliwili Harbor by protestors, Kauai has seemed hostile territory to politicians supporting it.

Senators from three committees, even though they plan to restart the service, made a point of promising to listen. (Watch Video Report)

"The rumor that this is a done deal is not true," Sen. Brian Taniguchi said.

About 400 people, mostly anti-Superferry residents, overflowed the King Kaumualii Elementary School cafeteria.

"I suggest you take a microscope and stick it up the (rear) of (Gov. Linda) Lingle's Administration to find out how we got in this position in the first place," Superferry opponent Peter Morimoto said.

Supporters of Superferry who know the Legislature will let it sail, kept a low profile.

"They don't want to come to these things, they don't want to be yelled at, but I really believe the majority of people on Kauai support the Superferry," supporter Sharon Pomroy said.

Neighbor island testimony may lead senators to propose changes to the plan, perhaps adding conditions proposed by environmentalists, or changing the committee that advises the governor, lawmakers said. However, those changes would have to be accepted by the House and governor.

Even with the hearing, the state knows the welcome on Kauai won't be with completely open arms. So, they have spent $18,000 on riot gear for harbor patrol officers to prevent a repeat of the fiasco the last time the Superferry traveled to Nawiliwili Harbor.

Informational meetings with residents of both Maui and the Big Island continue this week.

A meeting is scheduled Monday on Maui at Baldwin High School's auditorium at 3 p.m.

On Tuesday, state senators will be on the Big Island at Kealakehe High School in Kailua-Kona at 3 p.m.

The special session on the Hawaii Superferry is expected to begin at the state Capitol on Wednesday.