Hawaii Superferry

Not to be confused with SuperFerry and Super ferries.
Hawaii Superferry
IndustryFerry
Founded2003; 21 years ago (2003)
Defunct2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Headquarters
Honolulu, Hawaii
,
United States
Area served
Oahu, Maui
WebsiteHawaiiSuperFerry.com

Hawaii Superferry was a Hawaii-based transportation company that provided passenger and vehicle transportation between Honolulu Harbor on the island of Oʻahu and Kahului Harbor on Maui. Legal issues over environmental impact statements and protests from residents of Maui and Kauaʻi temporarily delayed the implementation of service, but service between Oʻahu and Maui began in December 2007. The company had hoped to return service to Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauaʻi and additionally planned to eventually provide service to Kawaihae Harbor on the Big Island.[1]

Ferry operations were suspended in March 2009 after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a state law allowing the Superferry to operate without a second complete environmental impact statement was unconstitutional.[2] The company went bankrupt as a result of these actions preventing service in Hawaii.[3] On July 2, 2009, a Delaware Bankruptcy Court granted the company's motion to abandon both the ships Alakai and Huakai, ending all possibilities that the company might return to Hawaii;[4] the ships were bought by the US Maritime Administration in 2010.[5] The United States Navy eventually purchased the craft for a total of $35M, a small fraction of their original $180M cost.[6]

  1. ^ Wilson, Christie (2009-01-09). "Study reveals ups, downs of ferry-related harbor projects". The Honolulu Advertiser. Honolulu, HI, USA: Black Press. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  2. ^ Blair, Chad (March 16, 2009). "Hawaii Supreme Court rules Superferry law unconstitutional". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
  3. ^ "Hawaii Superferry to Leave Hawaii". Archived from the original on 2009-03-23. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  4. ^ Dicus, Howard (2009-07-01). "Hawaii Superferry abandons ship, and other bankruptcies in the news". KGMB9.com. Howzit Howard. Honolulu, HI, USA: KGMB9. Archived from the original on 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  5. ^ "Hawaii Superferry's Bankruptcy = US Navy Opportunity". Retrieved 2013-09-13.
  6. ^ "U.S. Navy Buys Hawaii Superferries". Marine Link. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2015.