Now that most of its legal troubles have
been settled, Hawaii Superferry is getting ready to set sail once
again beginning Dec. 1 with service between Oahu and Maui.
As part of the
planned relaunch, Hawaii Superferry is offering a $29 one-way,
"inaugural" fare valid through Dec. 20. (From Dec. 21 and through
March 12, one-way passenger fares will increase to $39.)
The inaugural
passenger vehicle fare will be $55 each way and $35 for
motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, the company said.
Additionally,
company said customers who previously purchased tickets at a higher
fare for travel between Dec. 1 and March 12 will automatically be
refunded the difference of the special fares.
The inaugural fares
are available only on an advance-purchase basis and reservations
must be made online through www.HawaiiSuperferry.com or by calling (877)
443-3779.
"We appreciate the
support we've received from everyone who shares the vision of
uniting our islands and families by sea," said Hawaii Superferry
president and CEO, John Garibaldi in a statement. "Hawaii
Superferry and its more than 300 employees look forward to a new
beginning as we start our voyages between Oahu and Maui, a new
choice for inter-island travel."
Before Hawaii
Superferry temporarily suspended operations three months ago, it
also offered service to Kauai. However, the company said it is
still evaluating when to relaunch that service.
The inter-island
ferry service, capable of carrying more than 800 passengers and 300
vehicles, launched on Aug. 29 -- about the same time the state's
Supreme Court ruled that an environmental study would have to be
conducted before it could begin operating.
The ruling spurred
environmental groups, long critical of the service, to stage
protests and file lawsuits against the ferry, which soon suspended
operations.
On Oct. 9, Maui
Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cardoza imposed an injunction against
the ferry, mandating that it remain docked until after the state
completed an environmental study.
The island's
government, however, contended mandating such a study was unusual
since it was not required of other modes of
transportation.
As a result,
Hawaii's legislature went into special session and passed
legislation signed into law by Gov. Linda Lingle that permits
Hawaii Superferry to resume service while the environmental study
is conducted by the state.
To address concerns
raised by environmental groups, the law also compels Hawaii
Superferry to adhere to certain operating conditions designed to
minimize its impact on the environment, particularly the humpback
whales that inhabit the waters around the islands.
On Nov. 15, Judge
Cardoza lifted the injunction to allow Hawaii Superferry to resume
service.
To
contact reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].