Hawaii’s Superferry Links Islands for Now
KAHULUI, Hawaii – Loaded with people paying a discount fare of just $5, the $95 million Hawaii Superferry made its maiden run Sunday with a rushed launch for a three-hour voyage to Maui – the first passenger ferry service between the islands.
Legal problems threatened to beach the giant catamaran like one of the whales that environmentalists fear it will run over, so the company moved up the debut by two days.
More than 500 passengers and crew, and 150 cars, were aboard when the four-deck, blue-and-white vessel pulled away from the dock to a chorus of cheers.
“It’s beautiful,” exclaimed Stephen Imamoto of Honolulu, who was traveling with his wife and 6-year-old daughter. “I don’t like to fly … You can’t beat the price.”
Choppy water and strong wind between the islands have scuttled previous attempts at interisland ferry services with smaller ships.
Inside the 349-foot Alakai built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., passengers browsed the gift shop, played cards and ordered breakfast while watching live NFL Sunday football games.
Before Sunday, the only scheduled service between islands was one of the three major local airlines, which are engaged in a fare war.
Superferry sold out its first voyage in 30 minutes Saturday, offering $5 one-way fares for passengers and the same for cars. More than 400 of those aboard got right back on the Alakai for the voyage back to Honolulu.
Superferry Chief Executive John Garibaldi, who mingled among passengers, said one reason for the service was to avoid a repeat of the effect of the nation’s grounded airplanes after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Then, island residents and tourists dependent on air travel were stranded for several days.
The launch, originally set for Tuesday with fares 10 times that much, was moved up after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that the state should have required an environmental review before the Superferry started service. Three environmental groups have sued, concerned that the vessel could collide with humpback whales, spread invasive species and create long traffic delays.
A dozen protesters greeted the enthusiastic passengers after the ferry docked at Maui’s port.
The environmentalists’ attorney, Isaac Hall, said he will seek an injunction today to prevent the Superferry from doing business until environmental studies are completed. Environmental reviews are typically required of projects that use state money and land, and they can take months or even years to complete.
Superferry supporters say it is being treated unfairly because other harbor users such as cruise ships didn’t have to go through extensive environmental reviews.
More than 19,000 people have signed up to take advantage of the $5 fare through Sept. 5. After that, round trips to Maui or Kauai, with taxes and a fuel surcharge, will cost more than $240 for one passenger and a car-if the courts don’t stop it.
Originally published by Associated Press.
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