Superferry to add 2nd daily trip to Maui

The Hawaii Superferry said yesterday it will add a second daily voyage to Maui starting May 9.

The afternoon service will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, leaving Honolulu at 3:30 p.m. and arriving in Kahului at 7 p.m. The return trip will depart Kahului at 8 p.m. and arrive in Honolulu at 11 p.m. Times are pending state Public Utilities Commission approval.

"An afternoon voyage will benefit our customers who want the convenience of traveling later in the day," John Garibaldi, president and CEO, said in a statement. "This second round-trip voyage will also greatly benefit our commercial customers, offering them the opportunity to return the same day as well as enhancing flexibility in reaching their markets."

The Alakai resumed morning service to Maui on March 27 after being dry docked for maintenance and repairs for nearly six weeks.

"The feedback we're getting is very positive," said Terry O'Halloran, the Superferry's director of business development. "The arrival time is in the evening when the traffic is much less on Maui."

O'Halloran said the company has talked with Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, who criticized Superferry officials in January for attempting to start a second trip without consulting the county. That service was postponed from its scheduled start of Jan. 16.

"The Superferry's addition of four additional weekly trips to Maui comes in the wake of new developments in the travel industry and the void left by Aloha Airlines," Tavares said in a statement. "I fully expect the Environmental Impact Statement to be completed for our review and comment and will continue to actively monitor its progress."

Reservations for afternoon voyages are open and cost $39 per one-way passenger and $55 for one way for personal vehicles through June 5.