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Hawaii Superferry to the Rescue Good weather helps operations . . .
June 13, 2008
The ferry Alakai has enjoyed calm seas for several weeks, and her owner, Hawaii Superferry, also has enjoyed a peaceful period since getting Alakai back in service.
"The weather has been very good for three weeks," said President Thomas Fargo on Thursday, and business was good, especially over the Memorial Day weekend.
"The very best thing we can do right now is to be a regular, reliable and responsible operator between Maui and Oahu," Fargo said.
Since coming out of dry-dock to resume service on April 7, the ferry has not missed a day, and between last Friday and Memorial Day, the ferry carried more than 5,500 passengers and 1,500 vehicles.
The company projects more than 21,000 passengers and 5,800 by the end of its first full month of operations.
Superferry is testing the Alakai at different speeds and in varying conditions to determine the most economical operating speed. "We're working hard to find the most efficient speed for fuel consumption," Fargo said in a telephone interview from Honolulu.
Four years ago, Superferry's investors claimed that they could charge half what airlines did to move a passenger between islands and make money even running half loaded.
Airfares have fallen and risen since, and fuel costs have multiplied. But Fargo said that the Superferry can be profitable even when selling only half its 866 passenger seats.
Commercial use of the Superferry has also increased. Companies like CFI, Love's and FedEx are using the ferry.
So if you're planning to take a look at a new piece of outer island Hawaii real estate to add to your portfolio, and are finding rising airfare prices from your South Maui home or West Maui condo a bit hard to swallow, consider taking the Superferry for your next inter-island adventure.
The ferry Alakai has enjoyed calm seas for several weeks, and her owner, Hawaii Superferry, also has enjoyed a peaceful period since getting Alakai back in service.
