Our last update in the saga of the Hawaii Superferry wasn’t a positive one. The company had filed for bankruptcy, and the once mighty catamarans were in the process of heading out of Hawaii’s warm water paradise. As of this week, it looks like the ships are planning to call Norfolk, Virginia their home while they await their final fate.

The Alakai, one of two high speed ferries, arrived in Virginia this week. The other is on its way and should arrive before the end of the month. They were in Alabama for a little bit, but the US Maritime Administration feels that a home in Virginia is better for insurance reasons. They were also a little bit worried about hurricane season—good thinking.

At this point, it’s pretty much a guarantee that these vessels will never find their way back to the islands. However, they may have a busy schedule ahead of them. Rumors suggest that the Navy is looking into leasing both of them. For now, if you’re looking for a used high-speed ferry, and have some cash, you could get a hell of a deal on these two.

Related Stories:
· Ferries From Bankrupt Hawaii Company Land in Norfolk [Virginian-Pilot]
· Hawaii Superferry Is Grounded and Lonely [Jaunted]
· Ferry Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hawaii] ]]> kjb 2009-07-24T09:27:40-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/2/71519/68454

When we last heard about the Hawaii Superferry, it wasn’t up to much ferrying. Due to potential negative environmental impact, it was ordered to stay at dock until further assessments could be completed. But when you own a huge, expensive boat and it’s not carrying passengers day after day, bad things are bound to happen.

Thus, it was no surprise to learn that the company which runs the ferry filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this week, claiming that because it had to stop operations the money simply dried up. They’ve reported that they have between $50 and $100 million in debts, but only $10 million in assets at most. It doesn’t take someone like Ben Stein to figure out that economic math problem. ]]> kjb 2009-06-02T08:38:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/23/65157/8798

We admit we've been a bit more interested in the cheap prices you can get on the Hawaii Superferry than the big legal/environmental impact drama, but it's the latter that's meant the big boat is now sitting at the dock in Honolulu with nowhere to go.

The Supreme Court decision by five justices has said the ferry can't go anywhere until a full impact assessment is carried out. Environmentalists have a bunch of concerns, including that the ferry

would strike whales, spread invasive species and create traffic jams at its destinations, first on Maui and later on the Big Island and Kauai.

Trouble was brewing for the Superferry even before the court bigwigs put their heads together--delivery of the planned second ferry was cancelled in October thanks to the depressed economy. Now there are a bunch of ferry employees and prospective passengers who are feeling a bit depressed too.

Related Stories:
· Hawaii Superferry: End of the Saga? [Forbes]
· Is the Hawaii Superferry Finally Catching On? [Jaunted]
· Hawaii Superferry Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: hawaii] ]]> amandak 2009-03-23T10:56:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/7/17/16420/3667

After lots of drama, it seems that the Hawaii Superferry is finally catching on. Seats on the boat sold out on some trips over the Fourth of July weekend, and officials say ridership is on the rise. But is that because people genuinely enjoy it?

Doubtful, says Jeff from the Beat of Hawaii blog:

The best deal through September 30 for Oahu-Maui travel is the Superferry, which is $98 round trip. But you must book by August 4.

Hawaiian Airlines and go! are doing the same duopoly that Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines did for years. The average round trip is now back at about $200, which was what it was before go! entered and sometimes dropped prices to below $20 round trip.

Ah hah! So it's not really that people enjoy the Superferry any more than they like flying; it's simply the cheapest way to go island-to-island. We will give 'em some credit though: You can actually take liquids aboard the boat!

Related Stories:
· Superferry Ridership up [KHNL, via]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: eye of einstein]]]> pbb 2008-07-17T16:45:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/17/17420/109

The Hawaii Superferry is back, and along with it protests about environmental damage. After a court ordered the big ship to stop its inter-island journeys this summer, a new decision--and some action by Governor Linda Lingle--has the ship cruising again, at least until an environmental assessment is complete.

While protesters greeted the ferry when it pulled into Maui's harbor late last week, the tone has been quite civil. Maybe that's because the Coast Guard and lots of law enforcement have been watching demonstrators while toting automatic weapons?

Related Stories:
· Book Your Own Controversial Tickets [Official Superferry Site]
· "I think this is great for Hawaii," Passenger Says [KHNL]
· Delays were "very damaging to the company," CEO says [KHNL]
· Hawaii Superferry's Arrival Stays Calm [Honolulu Advertiser]
· Environmental Group Preparing More Legal Action [Honolulu Advertiser]

[Photo: eye of einstein]]]> pbb 2007-12-17T17:10:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/8/28/155558/335

Protesters are harping on two major tourism draws right now: Philadelphia's Franklin Institute and Hawaii's Superferry. In Philly, the King Tut and the Golden Age of Pharaohs exhibit has people angry because of its depiction of the boy king:

More than 500 people showed up to hear scholars discuss Tut's race at the Franklin Institute...The three speakers said the exhibition on display upstairs gives the false impression that King Tut was white.

Meanwhile, in Hawaii, the Superferry is facing its share of controversy, says our Hawaii Travel guru, Alex Salkever:

Recent complaints of vomit-inducing rough rides are nothing next to the pending court-ordered environmental impact study that could postpone service for many months. I'd not be surprised if the Superferry offers more cheap deals.

That alleged environmental damage is what has surfers up in arms about the inter-island ferry: so much so, they're swimming and boating into its path to stop it.

These folks aren't gonna take it anymore:
· King Tut Exhibit Prompts Debate... [NPR]
· ...That King Tut's Not Black Enough [New American Media]
· Obviously, the Protesters Have a Blog [Blogger]
· In Hawaii, a Flotilla of Protesters Stops the Ship [Honolulu Star Bulletin]
· Then a Judge Piles On with Restraining Order [Honolulu Advertiser]

[Photo: apium]]]> pbb 2007-08-28T16:55:02-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/4/20/52515/7112
(Jaunted first reported on the Superferry's appearance in Mobile earlier this month. Now, Alex Salkever weighs in with a local's take on the launch.

Honolulu resident and Jaunted contributor Alex Salkever is the editor/founder of Hawaiirama, a painfully authoritative Hawaii travel blog.)

In Mobile, Alabama on April 14, the latest way to get from Maui to Oahu -- the new Hawaii Superferry "Alakai" -- was christened. The 350-foot ferry will carry both people and cars. It's set to sail for the Hawaiian Islands in May 2007. Service on the ferry will begin in July 2007 with passage to and from Honolulu on Oahu, Kahului on Maui, and Nawiliwili on Kauai. Here's a recent article on the topic in the Honolulu Advertiser.

Is this a big deal? It used to be a bigger deal. The fare war brought on by the entrance of go! Airlines has caused interisland plane ticket prices to plummet from nearly $200 round trip to $100 or even, for certain off-peak trips, $60 round trip.

One-way ferry tickets purchased on the Internet will run $47 for passages Tuesday to Thursday, and $57 for voyages departing Friday to Monday. The base tickets will set a traveler back $50 to $60 bucks. Anyone shipping a car or SUV / small pickup will pay a separate fare of $60 to $70, depending on the departure date.

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