Travel To Hawaii » Hawaii Interisland Air Travel

For centuries the ancient Polynesians traveled between the Hawaiian Islands by boat, displaying both courage and brilliant navigational skills. The tradition of Hawaiian seafaring diminished with the onset of commercial aviation, but a new kind of sea-going vessel, the Hawaii Superferry, is intended to reinvigorate water-based travel between the islands. Interisland service launched earlier this year, but has since been halted indefinitely as the result of a court order and protests from Hawaiians with environmental impact concerns.

The Hawaiian Superferry provides a great interisland travel alternative to flying. Voyaging on the Superferry allows travelers to drive aboard with their possessions in the trunk or on a roof rack. Onboard ship passengers may roam the decks, eat, drink, watch television or movies, or just unwind while gazing at the water and islands in the distance. Upon arrival, one just drives away in their vehicle without the need to touch college baggage or scramble for land transportation.

Hawaii Superferry vessels were designed and constructed by Austal, an Australian company that is one of the largest builders of fast ferries on the planet. The first ship, the Alakai, began service this year, and a sister ship will be launched in 2009. The ferry's catamaran design, one of its most significant features, is inspired by the double-hulled canoes used by the old Polynesian seafarers. This configuration permits high-speed and family-friendly travel over Hawaii's ocean waters. The cruising speed of the Superferry is 40 knots, or 74 kilometers per hour.

The Alakai's two catamaran hulls contain eight watertight compartments, and the vessel has the most advanced evacuation and life-raft systems available. The ship has a satellite navigation system that tracks its position at all times. All passenger and crew spaces incorporate fireproof and fire-resistant materials.

The Hawaii Superferry incorporates the latest in environmentally friendly maritime technology into its design. The ferry's waterjet propulsion system has no exposed propellers, hence greatly increasing protection for marine life forms such as whales and seals. The vessel will not discharge wastewater, trash or any solid waste. These will be carefully disposed of when the ship is docked in port. The catamaran design - unlike conventional ships - does not require ballast tanks where invasive species could hitch a ride between the Islands. An especially slick, non-toxic paint coats the hull to keep unwanted aquatic species from travelling across the ocean waters.

Some of the many features that will make passage on the Hawaii Superferry an experience to be remembered include: panoramic views form the specially engineered passenger deck, with a higher central section that offers a clear view even from the middle of the ferry, through floor-to-ceiling windows; big-screen entertainment such as new movies, educational and Hawaiian-themed programming, and live TV on four giant screens; family seating with numerous leather sofas paired with coffee tables; video games catering to the entertainment needs of young adults; and Low-E glass that allows light in while moderating heat gain, thus keeping passengers cool and comfortable. The passenger deck has three dining areas, with menu items including salads, soups, sandwiches, and entrees all based on local products.

Hawaii Superferry inter-island service began in fall 2007 but service was indefinitely halted in late August. Whether service begins again is up to the Hawaii House and Senate, which began a special session this month. A primary issue of Hawaii Superferry opponents is that service was allowed to begin without proper environmental impact studies. It's possible that the Hawaiian legislature may allow operation of the Superferry while proper environmental impact studies are conducted, and that a ferry oversight task force could be set up.

On October 11, Hawaii Superferry announced that it was furloughing 249 employees, most of them Hawaii residents, while the legislature sorts through the issues.

It may only be a short time before service begins anew. If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, and would like to travel between islands on the Superferry, go to their website at www.HawaiiSuperferry.com. Fare rates will vary with the number and age of passengers, type of vehicle, and whether days and times of travel. Peak times: Friday-Monday, and Federal & State holidays. Off Peak: Tuesday-Thursday day time hours. A fuel surcharge, which is calculated monthly based on the cost of fuel, will be added to the basic fare rates. Further information and details are available on the website, including the status of operations.

Kevin Lutgarten writes about worldwide travel for FrugalMonkey.com. The website is a resource for people seeking discount travel, last minute travel deals, and travel auction tips. Hundreds of pages of free information about Hawaii travel, Mexico vacations, Australia and Alaska tourism. Also, for those seeking a working vacation, the website includes pages on teaching English abroad.

Source: www.articlecity.com