Jaunted

Hawaii Travel

Is the Hawaii Superferry Finally Catching On?

July 17, 2008 at 4:45 PM | 1 Comment

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]

Hawaii Superferry

Adventures of Link: Return of the Superferry

December 17, 2007 at 5:10 PM | 1 Comment

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]

Hawaii Travel

Adventures of Link: Hell No, We Won't Go (There)

August 28, 2007 at 4:55 PM | 0 Comments

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]

Ferry Service

Superferry Roils Hawaiian Waters

April 23, 2007 at 4:00 PM | 0 Comments

(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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Hawaii Superferry

Hawaii Superferry: Friend or Foe?

April 11, 2007 at 10:58 AM | 1 Comment

The Hawaii Superferry has cleared environmental hurdles and is aiming to start interisland service in July.

The ferry service has been opposed by environmental factions claiming the big boats will threaten whales, bring invasive species, and cause traffic jams.

One of the leading anti-superferry groups is Maui Tomrrow.

Now we don't know much about environmentalism, but on the surface, doesn't it seem like directing people to ferries and away from airplanes for interisland jaunts will actually help the environment? Can someone ask Leonardo Dicaprio?

In any event, this July, Hawaii Superferry will begin daily passenger and vehicle ferry service between Honolulu and Kahului, Maui, and between Honolulu and Nāwiliwili, Kaua`i. In 2009, daily service begins between Honolulu and Kawaihae on the Island of Hawai`i.

[Photo: lalachan]

Related Stories:
· Official Site [Hawaii Superferry]
· Hawaii Travel Stories [Jaunted]