STAR-BULLETIN / AUGUST 2007 The Hawaii Superferry made its inaugural sail from Oahu to Kahului, Maui, in August. Having overcome court challenges that kept it idle, it is preparing to restart service in Dec. 6.

Ferry delayed

Restart date shifts to Dec. 6 because of damage to a barge

WAILUKU » The Hawaii Superferry has pushed back its start-up date to Dec. 6 from Saturday because of minor damage from wave surges to a barge at Kahului Harbor.

Superferry spokesman Lori Abe said some time is needed to align the barge used to help in the loading and unloading of vehicles from the Superferry.

Maui Tomorrow Executive Director Irene Bowie said a 2005 report noted there was a problem of swells 3 feet and higher in the harbor during winter.

"If this is an example of how they've been doing their homework, I'm not getting a comfortable feeling from this," said Bowie, whose group challenged the Superferry because an environmental study had not been done for the harbor improvements.

The Superferry is notifying passengers that they can get refunds or reschedule their travel booked between Saturday and Dec. 5.

Starting Dec. 6, Hawaii Superferry will offer a daily round-trip voyage between Oahu and Maui leaving Honolulu at 6:30 a.m. and arriving in Kahului at 10:15 a.m., departing from Kahului at 11:15 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 2:15 p.m.

Superferry President John Garibaldi said he appreciated the efforts of state transportation officials to prepare the port facility.

Meanwhile, Maui police met with citizens yesterday to talk about laws governing protests.

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WAILUKU » Minor damage from wave surges to a barge at Kahului Harbor has pushed back the start-up date for the Hawaii Superferry between Oahu and Maui to Dec. 6 from Saturday.

Superferry spokesman Lori Abe said while repairs to the barge are expected to be finished by Friday, additional time is needed to make adjustments.

The barge is used to help in the loading and unloading of vehicles from the Superferry.

The Superferry Alakai is expected to be on Maui next week before service starts to make sure the alignment is correct with the pier and barge.

Passengers who have booked travel between Saturday and Dec. 5 are being contacted for refunds or accommodated for travel beginning Dec. 6, Superferry officials said.

Starting Dec. 6, Hawaii Superferry will offer a daily round-trip voyage between Oahu and Maui, leaving Honolulu at 6:30 a.m. and arriving in Kahului at 10:15 a.m., then departing from Kahului at 11:15 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 2:15 p.m.

Superferry President John Garibaldi said he appreciated the efforts of state transportation officials to prepare the port facility.

Garibaldi said Hawaii Superferry was working to make sure it is in compliance with new regulations and is providing additional staff training.

Meanwhile, Maui police met with citizens including the group Maui Tomorrow yesterday to talk about laws governing protest.

Maui Tomorrow Executive Director Irene Bowie said her group, along with the Sierra Club and the Pacific Whale Foundation, wants to have a protest rally at the harbor but has not set a date.

Bowie said she wanted to know what would be allowed at the harbor and where demonstrators could hold the rally.

Deputy Police Chief Gary Yabuta said the police were trying to work with citizens who want to express their opinions.

"We're here to protect their right to do so. ... We want to work with the community to make sure everything they do and we do is legal," Yabuta said.

Harbor officials received a report of minor damage to the pier and the barge from wave surges in mid-November.

Harbormaster Steve Pfister said rubber fenders were damaged and needed to be replaced.

Pfister said while some chains snapped, other mooring lines held and the barge never broke free.

He said a tugboat was called in to hold the barge in place during the period of wave surges.

Bowie said an Army Corps of Engineers report noted in 2005 that there was a problem of swells 3 feet and higher occurring in the harbor during winter months.

"It's no surprise," she said. "If this is an example of how they've been doing their homework, I'm not getting a comfortable feeling from this."