Weather scuttles Superferry round trip

The Hawaii Superferry canceled today's Oahu-Maui round trip, citing high seas.

The National Weather Service issued small-craft and high-surf advisories for all islands for today and tomorrow.

Superferry officials could not be reached for comment last night on whether the ship will sail tomorrow.

"All voyages on 12/27 have been canceled due to high sea conditions. Passengers booked on these voyages will be contacted to make alternative arrangements," said a "travel alert" posted on the Superferry's Web site, www.hawaiisuperferry.com.

The weather service has issued a high-surf advisory for eastern shores on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island.

"Strong winds continue to produce rough and choppy surf along east-facing shores. These hazardous conditions are expected to persist into the weekend," the advisory said.

A separate small-craft advisory for the islands is in effect until tomorrow morning, predicting seas greater than 10 feet. Similar conditions are predicted into the weekend.

Today's cancellation is the first for the Superferry since it restarted its Maui service on Dec. 13.

The Superferry started service to Maui and Kauai in late August but was quickly stopped by the courts and protesters.

Gov. Linda Lingle, an ardent Superferry supporter, called a special session of the Legislature in October to change state law and allow the ship to sail while an environmental impact study was compiled.

Superferry officials have yet to announce a restart date for Kauai service.