By Associated Press KAHULUI, Hawaii -- Peaceful protests met Hawaii Superferry passengers at both ends of the giant catamaran's first regular voyage after four months of debate, court action and government wrangling.

A state judge cleared the way Wednesday for Hawaii's new inter-island ferry to operate before an environmental assessment is complete, disappointing critics who had argued the giant vessel could harm whales and damage the area's fragile ecology.

By MARK NIESSE HONOLULU - State lawmakers bailed out Hawaii's fast new inter-island ferry on Wednesday, voting to put it back in service despite worries that it could damage the islands' fragile environment.

By Christopher Pala The first giant fast ferry carrying cars and passengers may not resume service among the Hawaiian islands until the state fully gauges its environmental effects, a judge ruled.

By MARK NIESSE WAILUKU, Hawaii - A judge has dealt another blow to the first passenger-vehicle ferry between major Hawaiian Islands, ruling that the service can't sail until it shows it won't harm the state's environment.