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Hawai'i Superferry -2009 Articles

The following news articles track the progress
of one of the most controversial issues facing Hawai‘i residents today

Surfer faces down the gigantic Superferry which was operating illegally

The Superferry has left Hawai‘i – but will it return?

Government to repossess Hawaii Superferry boats built at Austal
The U.S. Maritime Administration says that it plans to repossess and sell a pair of fast ferries built at Austal USA for Hawaii Superferry Inc. Hawaii Superferry owes $136.8 million to the agency — commonly known as MARAD — which guaranteed the loans used to buy the ferries. It has another $22.9 million outstanding on a pair of loans from Austal.
MARAD reported this week that it plans to take possession of the ferries, now docked at Atlantic Marine in Mobile, as soon as it receives approval from bankruptcy court in Delaware. Hawaii Superferry Inc. filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in that state May 30. The ferry vessels were purchased in 2004 for a combined price of $190 million, according to Austal, which now puts their value at about $87 million each, or $174 million together.

Hanabusa and Hemmings using Superferry as an excuse to gut environmental law Backup Link

The Plan Worked Perfectly From "The Armchair Admiral Blog" I was thinking about the tale of the Hawaii Superferry while reading this report by Phillip Ewing at Navy Times (backup link).

The Navy will also lease four joint high speed vessels next year, instead of two, until DoD takes delivery of its own ships in 2011, Gates said. The Navy leases high-speed catamarans, such as the Swift, now on a humanitarian deployment in the Caribbean, but has ordered its own purpose-built JHSVs from the Austal shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

Gee, I wonder where the DoD will find 2 spare high speed vessels to lease?

Secretary Gates Announces DoD Will Charter 2 New Joint Highspeed Vessels That could mean a new mission for two commercial ferries, both built at Austal USA, that are out of work after Hawaii Superferry Inc. canceled its inter-island service last month. Industry analyst Tim Colton said the military is a natural fit for the ferries, now adorned with colorful swimming manta rays. "Any day now, they'll be painted gray," Colton said. Backup Link

Hawaii Court Backs Protestors vs. Superferry (But the Saga Continues)   March 2009

In the latest turn of events in Hawaii's impressive grassroots uprising against a huge corporate-military boondoggle, the state's Supreme Court has ruled unanimously (5-0) that the Hawaii Superferry has no legal authority to continue its operations in the state, at least for the time being. But, hold the cheery encomiums and ginger-blossom bouquets; there are downsides to this story that, so far, most media have neglected.

Conspiracy Ferry – Did we get taken for a ride by Hawai‘i Superferry?    March 2009
Hawai‘i’s Superferry ended its choppy ride last week, leaving tantalizing clues, but no proof, that the whole venture was about more than providing “reliable commercial service in these islands,” as CEO Thomas B. Fargo insisted at his dawn press conference.

“You look at the players involved, you have to question their motives, there are some pretty significant defense contracts involved,” said Rep. Hermina Morita, who chairs the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.

Hawaii Superferry returning to Austal: March 24, 2009 The first high-speed passenger-vehicle catamaran built at Austal USA for client Hawaii Superferry Inc., Alakai, will head back to Austal in Mobile to be outfitted with a ramp, Hawaii Superferry spokeswoman Lori Abe said Monday. A ramp would make it more user-friendly for the military and commercial entities that lack appropriate dockside facilities. Hawaii Superferry President Thomas Fargo said last Thursday that the company was exploring commercial and military leasing options for both the Alakai and its sister ship, which remains at Austal in Mobile.

Musings: Supreme Court Slap Down – March 2009
Read an excellent report on the legal ruling written by Joan Conrow from Kaua‘i

What is the real reason that the Hawaii Superferry is leaving?   March 2009
It would seem that the real reason that the Hawaii Superferry company is stopping operations is that their financial model is NOT working. The failure to attract enough passengers/vehicles, even with severely discounted fares, seems to be the real rationale for the HSF withdrawal from the Hawaii inter-island market.

Superferry Progress Report   March 2009
After more than a full year of operation, it's time to give the albatross of inter-island travel known as the Hawaii Superferry a progress report. Has the high-speed ferry service given indications it can be profitable in the long term? Has there been justification for Gov. Linda Lingle leading the charge, with state legislators close behind, to rewrite the state's environmental laws to allow Superferry to operate? Has the entire state been taken for a choppy, 40 knots per hour, $45 million ride? And is this the biggest boondoggle in state history?

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Review for the Statewide Large-Capacity Inter-Island Ferry      February 2009
A brief but comprehensive analysis of the draft EIS for the Hawaii Superferry. Prepared by Peter Rappa, Environmental Review Coordinator; Curt Daehler, UHM Botany; Richard Mayer, Maui Community College; Marshall Mock, Kauai Community College; and Ryan Riddle, Environmental Center.

Public comment deadline on Superferry EIS nears      February 2009
The deadline for comments in writing, faxed or postmarked, is by February 23, 2009

Superferry Whale Strike: No Look, No See     January 2009
KauaiEclectic offers some comments over NOAA apparently closing their investigation into a passenger report that Hawaii Superferry hit a whale.