STAR-BULLETIN / JUNE 2007 The Hawaii Superferry is scheduled to make a trial voyage to Kahului Harbor today in preparation for restarting regular service to Maui on Thursday.

Superferry plans test run and resumption of service

Hawaii Superferry and state officials say the ship is expected to resume service to Maui on Thursday.

The 350-foot ship was expected to make a trial voyage to Maui's Kahului Harbor this morning to review docking procedures.

The Superferry's barge, which was built to serve as a bridge between the ship and the dock, was damaged by a storm last week. Also damaged were two bollards, or posts, used to tied up the barge to the dock.

Mike Formby, state transportation deputy director, said one bollard will be used today, but the concrete has not cured on the second bollard. While one can be used for today's test, both must be used when the ship, the Alakai, unloads vehicles.

Superferry officials said that yesterday the Superferry will resume service Thursday, leaving Honolulu at 6:30 a.m. and arriving in Kahului harbor at 10:15 a.m. The Alakai is expected to leave Maui at 11:15 a.m. and return to Honolulu at 2:15 p.m.

On Maui, several groups are planning protests when the Alakai docks. Leaders of the Maui Surfrider Foundation and Save Kahului Harbor say they will protest the arrival and are planning another rally on Saturday.

Lori Abe, Superferry spokeswoman, reminded the public in a release yesterday that the Coast Guard will establish a 100-yard moving security zone around the Alakai as it moves into the harbor, but a temporary fixed security zone will not go into effect until Thursday, when the ship resumes regular sailings.

The Superferry sailings had been blocked by a state court order until the Legislature went back into session to pass a special law allowing the ship to sail while an environmental impact statement is prepared.