Hawaii Superferry

Hawaii Superferry Alakai, docking in Honolulu Harbor on June 30.

The Hawaii Superferry was Hawaiiʻ's first ferry transport with daily service from Honolulu to Kahului, Maui and Nawiliwili, Kauai beginning September 2007. The private company is based in Oahu, Hawaiʻi.

The company hopes to eventually utilize two 349-foot double-hulled ships capable of transporting nearly 900 passengers and 300 cars with the second ship scheduled for completion in 2009. The ship, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views, sofas and family seating, and flat-screen TVs and video games.

On June 30, the first ship, the Alakai, docked in Honolulu Harbor.

On Tuesday 28 August 2007 the company suspended all services to Kauai indefinitely due to protestors who blocked the entrance to the harbor. The protestor's concern is that a ferry of this size will, traveling at speeds of about 30 mph, strike and kill whales during its voyages. Unlike large cruise liners that push whales and other marine animals away with minimal harm, the ferry is capable of directly striking whales and other large mammals and ultimately killing them. A few weeks later a Kauai Judge said the ferry will be allowed to return to the island.

On Friday September 14 2007 the company said if the ship will not be able to run within six weeks it will leave Hawaii.

On Wednesday September 19 2007 Lanny Sinkin, a Hilo attorney, sued President George W. Bush, the Department of Homeland Security and the US Coast Guard because of their new security zone which keeps protestors out of Nawiliwili Harbor. Sinkin said he is hoping that this will be enough to stop the Superferry. [1]

On October 9 2007 Maui Judge Joseph Cardoza said the ferry will not be able to resume service while the state conducts an Enviornmental Assessment. Two days later Superferry president and CEO John Garibaldi announced “with a heavy heart” the decision exposes the Superferry to estimated losses of $650,000 per month in losses and the company would immediately lay off 249 employees; 36 on Maui, 35 on Kauai and 178 on Oahu, keeping just 59 workers on the job to handle administrative and operational duties. [2]. Many in the maritime community are disappointed with the loss of oppertunity for U.S. marimers [3].

Inaugural voyage

On Sunday 26 August 2007 the Hawaii Superferry set sail for Kahului, Maui. The ship was sold out for passengers and cars at $5 per person and vehicle. Smooth sailing was in effect until the Superferry docked in Maui with protesters in site. It was no big deal compared to the Superferry stopping out of Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua'i. The Superferry met with three dozen surfers blocking the entrance to the harbor. It took the U.S. Coast Guard 90 minutes to clear the path so the Alakai [HSF] to dock

Facts

• Ferry utilizes an independent waterjet-propulsion system minimizing the effect on marine mammals.
• Power by MTU engines.
• On 27 August 2007 the Alakai Superferry vessel was forced to turn back from a scheduled landing in Nawiliwili harbor on Kaua'i after citizens blockaded the harbor for the second day in a row. Superferry riders were stranded at sea for 9 hours during the journey.
• The State DOT has not conducted an Environmental Assessment of the superferry's impacts as of September, 2007. The DOT chair argued that new entrants in the primary competing form of inter-island transportation (airplane) do not require environmental assessments [4]. The ferry operators contend that they have superseded environmental targets before preliminary review.
• A Maui judge issued a temporary restraining order on 27 August 2007 barring the Superferry from operating on the island of Maui until it could be determined whether the company can be allowed to operate without an environmental review by the State of Hawaii. The State DOT had earlier decided that the Superferry's activity at the piers did not need an environmental review [5].
• The company and its investors have spent over $300 million bringing the Superferry to Hawaii.
• Superferry Protesters have vandalized vehicles of and verbally threatened superferry passengers disembarking on Kauai.[6] [7]
• Some 6000 Kauai resident signatures have been collected for a petition against the Hawaii Superferry. 6000 of a Kauai Island population estimated at 63,000 (approx 10.5%). Some Anti-Superferry Kauai residents state that the Superferry will impact the small island in many negative ways. [8] [9]
• Terry O’Halloran, the chairman of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, is also the public affairs director for the Hawaii Superferry. Many people, including the former director of the Pacific Whale Foundation, Irene Bowie, have called this an obvious conflict of interest within an environmental agency and a corporate entity.[10]

External links

• Hawaii SuperFerry official website
• Hawaii Superferry opposition mounts, USA Today
• Security measures for Hawaii Superferry, KHON2 FOX news
• Hawaii Superferry Sails into Honolulu, KGMB9 news
• Coast Guard sued over Superferry, "KGMB9 news"