Affordable, safe interisland ferry service came one step closure to reality yesterday when a Hawaiian priest, complete with maile, kukui nuts and ti leaves, made the trip to Mobile, Ala. to bless the start of construction on the first Hawaii
Affordable, safe interisland ferry service came one step closure to reality yesterday when a Hawaiian priest, complete with maile, kukui nuts and ti leaves, made the trip to Mobile, Ala. to bless the start of construction on the first Hawaii Superferry.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the construction of the first of two, 345-foot, catamaran-type roll-on/roll-off ferries for interisland service.
“Hawai‘i will soon benefit from an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, convenient and economical sea transportation system,” said Timothy Dick, Hawaii Superferry Inc. chairman.
Meanwhile, Steve Case-owned Grove Farm Co. of Puhi yesterday reached an agreement to buy 50 percent of Maui Land and Pineapple’s $1 million investment in the ferry company.
Grove Farm will pay $500,000 for the purchase. Case also owns a substantial portion of Maui Land and Pineapple.
The ships will be the largest and most technologically advanced aluminum ferries ever built in the country.
The first ship is expected to enter service in 2006, and will initiate non-stop, round-trip service between the islands of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawaii Superferry’s hub in Honolulu. Trips will cost approximately half the price of flying, according to company executives.
According to David Pratt, president and chief executive officer of Grove Farm, the investment fits with Case’s strategy of investing for a “blended double bottom return” — an investment that benefits both the company and the island community.
The two Neighbor Island companies are the first investors in the ferry company. Hawaii Superferry also projects being able to ship interisland cargo at a fraction of air-cargo prices.
“If we want to ensure that Hawai‘i has both an exceptional quality of life and robust economic opportunities 20 years from now, we need to invest in a multi-faceted, high quality transportation system,” Case said.
“The Hawaii Superferry has the potential to create significant economic and social connections that will benefit all island residents,” he added.
The Alabama shipyard, usually bedecked with metal and machines, was covered with maile and orchids as Kahu Kauwila Clark, along with executives from Hawaii Superferry, Austal USA, engine manufacturer MAN B&W and shipyard workers, blessed the project.
Dick said Hawaii Superferry chose Australian-based Austal USA because of their experience with aluminum shipbuilding, including more than 80 fast ferries, and their track record of delivering on time and on budget.
The advanced semi-SWATH catamaran design is based on a similar Austal ship operated by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific, and was chosen by Hawaii Superferry because of its superior comfort and seakeeping abilities.
The ferries will be powered by new-generation, 20-cylinder, RK280 engines built by MAN B&W USA. The RK280 is said to be the most powerful and efficient 1,000-rpm engine ever built, and is designed to meet rigorous new EPA 2007 and IMO (International Maritime Organization) emissions standards. Each cylinder is capable of providing over 600 BHP.
When a prototype visited Nawiliwili Harbor earlier this year, around 4,000 Kauaians stood in line waiting for tours of the craft.
Hawaii Superferry is a Honolulu-based company led by veteran airline, maritime, and entrepreneurial executives.
The Web site is www.hawaiisuperferry.com.
