Hawaii Superferry is Almost Here

People in the islands are getting very excited about the Hawaii Superferry which will begin service late this summer. There has never been a ferry service inter-island like this before.

I pictured a big uninteresting ship with rows of plank like seating (sort of like the one I was on to see the Statue of Liberty years ago) but it is anything but that. The superferry's interior is so luxurious. There are several types of seating areas, and the seats look plush and comfortable, more like airline seats. The inside of the ship looks like a nice hotel lounge or lobby. There will also be a keiki (children) area for the kids to play.

The ship is currently being built in Mobile, Alabama and will get to Hawaii via the Panama Canal, with a short stop in Los Angeles to refuel. After that daily service from Honolulu, O'ahu to Kahului, Maui begins, and service 6 days a week from Honolulu, O'ahu to Nawiliwili, Kauai begins. One way passage will take approximately 3 hours from either island.

Service to the Big Island of Hawaii will not begin till 2009 after a second ferry is added. And as my luck would have it, they will only be going to Kona, and NEVER plan on stopping in Hilo, the reason being it would take too long to go around the island to get to the east side. As it is, from Honolulu to Kona will take 4 1/2 hours.

At least we would be able to pack up our car, drive to Kona, and then drive right onto the ferry with all of our bags, omiyage gifts, and ice chest packed with food. That would be difficult to do if you were flying, which up till now has been pretty much the only option. Also, you don't have to rent a car when you get to another island if you bring your own.

To make reservations, see the picture gallery, routes, ticket prices and everything you want or need to know about the superferry, visit their site HawaiiSuperFerry.com

Of course you won't find any negative information about the superferry on their site. But just to let you know, there has and continues to be opposition to the superferry with regards to environmental concerns such as not disturbing the humpback whales during the season when they come to Hawaii to rest and give birth.

So, are you for or against the Hawaii Superferry and do you plan to use it? Please leave your comments below.

Comments

[Sheila]

I was hoping that the superferry would allow for

day trips, but with the schedule, that will be

impossible.

[Mauigirl]

I wish they'd have a ferry from Maui to Kauai. Maybe that will be next!

[DoubleBrush]

Thanks for the comments!

I am worried about what happens if the superferry breaks down or needs repairs that would take longer than overnight. There is only ONE superferry that has to work daily 24/7.

[kenyopensacola]

The ferry sounds good but it seems expensive to me. When I first heard about an inter-island ferry I thought, great, if you are in Maui you can go over to Ala Moana Mall for shopping and lunch and go back in the afternoon. But I guess not.

[Sarah Hair]

Anything will be an improvement over the fuel and cost of flying interisland. Unfortunately, like you said, they are not going to include Hilo, which is only the second largest city in the state after only Honolulu. Even if the cost is similar to a plane ticket, the savings of rental cars etc. make it worth it.