Saturday January 20, 2007

First Hawaii Superferry slides into the water

HONOLULU (AP): In an attempt to link Hawaii's islands by something more than airplane flights, the first Hawaii Superferry slipped into the water from a shipyard in Alabama.

The ferries are the latest attempt at an alternative to air service, currently the only way for people to move from island to island.

The ship will go through a battery of ocean tests before sailing to the islands early this May, with the launch of the first ocean-going service for residents and tourists planned for July.

The first of two ferries will link Honolulu with Maui and Kauai. A second vessel is planned for 2009 to serve the Big Island.

The ferry idea came together in 2001. The ferries are designed to hold up to 866 passengers and 282 cars.

Several local environmental groups recently called for an environmental review of the project. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration had determined an environmental review was not necessary.

John Garibaldi, the Superferry chief executive officer, did not express any concerns Friday that environmental issues could delay the project. He said the company has been working with local communities since 2004 and made changes in response to their concerns, such as developing procedures to stop the spread of invasive species from island to island.

The ferries also have a whale avoidance plan that includes changing routes during the humpback migration season and posting whale lookouts on its ships, he said.

Ferry fares listed on the company's Web site range up to $70 (euro54) for adults.

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