Reservations open as vessel for interisland travel arrives

Reservations can be made for the Hawaii Superferry starting today, the same day that the service's vessel "Alakai" is scheduled to arrive at Honolulu Harbor.

The interisland service will begin sometime in August, but the reservations are being taken for travel dates from Sept. 5 through Jan. 15.

The one-way passenger fare for adults ranges from $52 to $62, the fare for children ages 2 to 12 ranges from $41 to $51, while infants (under 2 years) are $17. Tickets purchased online in advance range from $44 to $54 for adults and $33 to $43 for children, seniors and retired military.

One-way vehicle fares for motorcycles, cars and large vans range from $34 to $104, depending on the day of travel and the size of the vehicle.

Reservations can be made online at www.HawaiiSuperferry.com or by calling (877) 443-3779 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

For commercial and group reservations, call (808) 853-4115 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive today and then undergo crew and staff training, and final U.S. Coast Guard certification.

Hawaii Superferry officials will announce the August start date once the preparation and certification are complete.

Service will be offered daily between Maui and Oahu and six days a week between Kauai and Oahu. These voyages will take approximately three hours each way. A second ferry, scheduled to arrive in 2009, will begin service between Oahu and the Big Island, and a second daily Oahu-Maui round trip will be offered, the company says.