I'd sure ride one of these babies. Assuming environmentalists don't still tie up a private firm's plans for car ferries and passenger ferries connecting the Hawaiian islands.

A state legislative committee held back a bill that would have required a detailed Environmental Impact Statement before Hawaii Superferry Inc. could begin service between Oahu and Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

That goes a long way in sending a message that the state really wants this," said John Garibaldi, chief executive of Hawaii Superferry Inc. "They're not going to put up roadblocks."

Hawaii Superferry and some state officials had said requiring an environmental review could have scuttled the first serious attempt in years to set up an interisland ferry system. Garibaldi said the requirement would have jeopardized $200 million in funding.

Environmentalists are worried about traffic, transportation of alien pest species and endangering humpback whales....Garibaldi countered that his vessels are the cleanest, most energy-efficient on the market and that wastewater will not be dumped into the ocean. Hawaii Superferry complies with all state and federal environmental regulations and should "not be singled out to perform studies that existing and new shipping and cruise lines do not need to do," he said.

Hawaii Superferry plans to run two passenger and car ferries between Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Passengers could travel for about half current air fares. The first ferry, under construction in Alabama, is scheduled to be launched in early 2007.

The four-story vessels, each about the size of a football field, would transport 900 passengers and up to 280 vehicles. They travel about 45 mph, and would be able to make the trips from Honolulu, on Oahu, to Maui or Kauai in about three hours and the trip from Oahu to the Big Island in about four hours.

The state's $5 million ferry terminal near downtown Honolulu opened nearly two years ago in anticipation of the interisland service. Garibaldi has asked the Legislature to approve $40 million to pay for harbor improvements on the other islands.

This is something the state of Hawaii badly needs. Inter-island travel now requires either an airplane flight, or a private vessel. The ferry service deserves continued support, and will be boon to locals and visitors. The passenger ferries will be faster, and an especially great option for visitors.

Once these babies are up and running, I'm going to make a point of going back to Hawaii with my family. Only been once, so far, to Maui. And yeah. It was Wowie.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at March 4, 2005 12:08 PM

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