The Hawaii Superferry’s back.

The ferry resumed interisland service today between Oahu and Maui—departing at 6:30 a.m. from Honolulu to Kahului, and returning at 11:15 a.m. from Kahului to Honolulu. A one-way trip between islands takes about four hours.

Passenger fares one-way are $39, and $55 for passenger vehicles. Reservations may be made at the Superferry Web site or by calling (877) 443-3779.

The Alakai had been in drydock for repairs since Feb. 13, with a return to service originally set for later this month.

The ferry’s advance return comes a week after Aloha Airlines shut down abruptly, creating a reduction in interisland airline seats. However, company officials said the vessel’s return two weeks ahead of schedule was due to a slightly more predictable occurrence: Mellower spring seas between the Islands.

Rough winter seas forced the 866-seat/282-car ferry to suspend service unexpectedly for several days in January, weeks after opening for business. Already low passenger bookings dropped further.

The ferry was originally slated for an additional route between Oahu and Kauai, but protests on Kauai continue to keep the Alakai from docking there.

A second Superferry vessel, still under construction, is scheduled to begin service between Oahu and the Big Island in early 2009—one assumes after rough winter seas abate.
  

The Hawaii Superferry has cancelled its entire travel schedule until March 3.

Company officials are moving up the Alakai’s annual drydock to take advantage of the off-peak travel season and make some necessary repairs to the vessel.

The annual drydock is required by the United States Coast Guard for the Superferry’s recertification to operate. Repairs will be made in Honolulu from Feb. 13 to March 3.

Passengers with reservations during those dates are being notified by Hawaii Superferry for refunds or rebooking.

The Hawaii Superferry has been struggling with low passenger counts since launching voyages from Oahu to Maui in December. Originally slated for an additional route between Oahu and Kauai, protests on Kauai have kept the Alakai from docking there.

Rough winter seas also forced the ferry to unexpectedly suspend service for several days in January, negatively affecting bookings.

  

The Hawaii Superferry’s low passenger counts are threatening its ability to continue its sole Oahu-Maui route.

Pacific Business News reported today that attorneys for the embattled inter-island ferry service considered the situation an “emergency,” in a December letter submitted to the state Public Utilities Commission. The letter requested the PUC extend the Superferry’s current $39 one-way promotional fares through summer.

According to the Dec. 21 letter, the 866-seat Superferry was averaging only 150 passengers per day. Its planned passenger count for the period was 410.

The Superferry has had a tough year. Plans originally called for the vessel to begin service last summer, with routes between Oahu and Maui and Oahu and Kauai. Service to Maui ended shortly after it began when environmental activists got the Hawaii State Supreme Court to halt the ferry. Protests on Kauai kept the Superferry from docking there, as well.

Oahu-Maui service resumed in December.  But rough winter seas made many passengers seasick and forced the ferry to cancel service for several days, all of which had a negative effect on bookings.