Maui : News & Views
The Missing Link
By Allison LeBlanc
Oct 1, 2007

Hawaii’s new Superferry tries to deliver on its promise to connect the islands in comfort and environmental sensitivity

The Hawaii Superferry —years in the planning as a nautical alternative to short flights for inter-island travel—is staying docked for the time being.

While the Superferry got in two days of wildly popular voyages in August (the first round trip to Maui sold out in 30 minutes), the vessel was grounded at the end of the month by a court injunction and fears that protests would endanger passengers and protesters alike.

Local groups wanted an environmental assessment into the ferry before it started sailing. Just five days before the vessel was set to launch, the Supreme Court agreed.

Whenever service resumes (by press time it still hadn’t), the Superferry (appropriately named Alakai, meaning “ocean path” in Hawaiian) will attract those travellers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination, with its leather sofas, three dining options and the chance to roam freely onboard. When back in business, the ferry plans to run daily three-hour crossings between Maui and Oahu, and travel Sunday through Friday between Kauai and Oahu. A second ferry is planned between the Big Island (Hawaii) and Oahu over the next couple of years.

EYE CANDY

Big-screen entertainment featuring newly released movies and Hawaiian-themed programs welcome passengers aboard. But don’t spend the cruise glued to the tube. Panoramic views of Hawaii’s beautiful coastline from the passenger deck come courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows made of “low-emissivity” glass, which also blocks out heat and UV rays. A deck measuring 10 feet wide and 20 feet long at the vessel’s stern serves up fresh air and breathtaking views.


CAT-LIKE

Engineers chose a catamaran design—two hulls joined by a deck—for the Alakai, inspired by the outrigger canoes used by Polynesians for centuries. The catamaran’s wider beam means greater stability than a single hull, even in rough water. With a long, slender hull on each side, the ferry can smoothly navigate Hawaii’s waters at speeds of up to 35 knots, reducing drag through the water while accommodating more than 850 people and 280 subcompact-sized cars.


WATERED DOWN

Because of its design, the Alakai was built without ballast tanks (compartments located in the bottom of a ship that provide stability by taking in water). This way, invasive species such as the coqui frog and varroa mite can’t catch a lift from one part of Hawaii’s seas to another. Moreover, the ferries will not discharge wastewater, trash or any solid waste—everything will be carefully removed only once the ships are safely docked


SAVING THE WHALES

Kohola, the Hawaiian term for whales, should also be safe from the Superferry’s path. Not only does the Alakai feature a radar detection system and a crew lookout, but routes will also be altered and speeds reduced during the December-to-May humpback season.

(hawaiiupsuperferry.com; 877-443-3779)