Maui Superferry Service Becoming Routine
After nearly two weeks of daily trips to Maui, Hawaii Superferry service is becoming routine. Initially met by protesters and protected by a security zone that encompassed virtually all of Kahului Harbor, Tuesdays arrival seemed to go almost unnoticed.
Less than ten people were watching from Kahului Harbor Park as the ship entered the harbor. None were protesting. One local woman said that the ferry is a good alternative to air travel. A local man said he was looking forward to taking his family and car to Oahu for a few days vacation.
On December 20th the Coast Guard lifted its expanded security zone for the Hawaii Superferry in Kahului Harbor. Surfers, canoe paddlers, fishermen and others may now use the harbor at any time, but must stay at least 100 yards from the Alakai.
The National Guard announced that it will use the Superferry to transport equipment to Maui to help with the cleanup of recent storm related damage.
“Our National Guard and Civil Defense will pay the $55 fare per heavy equipment to bring it over,” said Adjutant General Lee. “I can bring it in on C-17 but the cost is so much more.”
“I think the community of Maui would want us to bring the heavy equipment to help neighbors out in the case of this emergency. We’re not bringing in any kind of invasive species from Oahu to Maui,” Adjutant Gen. Lee said.
Hawaii Superferry is currently offering inaugural special prices of $39 per person and $55 per vehicle one way. A 39% fuel surcharge is added to each ticket. The fuel surcharge recalculates monthly.
See the Hawaii Superferry Website for more information.
Photo Caption: Hawaii Superferry arriving at Kahului Harbor on Christmas day.
Superferry routine? Routinely canceled, you mean. From it’s supposed starting date of Dec 1, it has been canceled: Dec 1-5, then again Dec 6-12, then Dec 26th and now Dec 27th.
Hardly anyone takes the Superferry because it makes them sick and is inconvenient (leaving Oahu at 6:30am and frequently canceling makes it a poor choice for anyone.)
I would say it is not routine yet.
Aloha, Brad
Brad, Thanks for your comment. I appreciated you letting me use your photo in the earlier post.
ImpeachLingle, Didn’t know about the 26th and 27th cancellations. Thanks for letting us know.
In my December 20th Superferry post I linked to two organizations opposed to the ferry. Should have included those links in this article also.
http://www.savekahuluiharbor.com
http://www.maui-tomorrow.org
PS - I see the 28th’s voyage was just cancelled also.