For the guys that were here when it was operational: what was their fare structure like? How much did it cost to take a vehicle?

I was able to take my entire family with our car to Maui and stay at the Westin Kaanapali (the hotel had a Superferry Special deal) when the Superferry was still operational.  I'll have to look back at my records to see how the costs broke down if I still have them.

I agree about how ferries are so commonplace everywhere else but here.  I've been on the really nice large ferries that go between Vancouver, B.C. and Vancouver Island, as well as a smaller Washington State ferry.  I was really disappointed with how the Superferry's ordeal unfolded.  The over-used movie quote "This is why we can't have nice things" applies here.

For the guys that were here when it was operational: what was their fare structure like? How much did it cost to take a vehicle?

It was a tad pricey.  IIRC, you were better off flying and renting a car if you would be there four or fewer days.  But price isn't everything! The convenience of loading all your gear in the car and driving it onto that ferry counted for a lot, asmdid the very relaxed (by airline standards) security screening. And the comfort in the cabin, having leg room, being able to bring all the carry-on you wanted...there was just no comparison.

I understand (for the most part) why these guys went out of business. Hawaii seems like an extremely tough place to start and run a business. The political and regulatory environment must be the two big killers. But I still do not understand why no one has tried to revive the Hawaii Superferry. I've been blessed to travel all over the world and EVERY island nation or archipelago I have been to has established, cheap, reliable ferry service. Why is Hawaii any different? I know the EIS wasn't done properly (or at all) and the whale lovers were pretty upset about it, but what gives? Are there not whales in every other part of the world that are threatened by ships? Could a new EIS not be completed IOT get this thing going again? It's just disappointing to see the rest of the world doing it right when it comes to inter island transportation and Hawaii is "missing the boat." Pun intended. You're welcome.

The EIS - it's not that it was not done properly, it was not done.  The State has the decision to waive the EIS process for many many of its projects.  It happens all the time.  The issue is there are some local & mainland interests that did not line up with the SF.  There were several issues brought up with regards to the EIS; traffic due to expanded vehicles, taking of natural resources (plants, rocks, etc.) in cars, whales, etc.  Other than the (high) speed of the vessels the other issues were things that can/do happen anyway.  EIS studies..............they are expensive, if you want one done, expect it to take years and potentially go into the millions with potential litigation.

The SuperFerry would've been a great example of Change - sound familiar? Ironic when you consider the politics involved. The demise of the Superferry is a great example of the powers that want to keep the greater good oppressed for the sake of continued profit.  I can only surmise that Young Bros. and other businesses that would've suffered when the SuperFerry took off had a role in its termination.

YB would have suffered, as would have Hawaiian/Aloha Air/other air cargo operations. 

While I am not sure how the planes are required to service the outer islands, YB is required to bundle in trips that they lose money on..........such as Molokai.  Not enough to make money, but they are mandated to do so which is why when Pasha was petitioning to cherry pick certain routes YB did not like that.

Wow. I see why Lingle pushed for this thing to go through. The SF created jobs and opportunities and the liberal govt screwed up the whole thing. It's pretty clear the EIS was the (very heavy) straw that broke the camel's back. It is such a shame. Other countries and states don't require the huge amounts of red tape. The use of logic here would have gone a long way.

This was my thought exactly.  It's a boat.  It floats on the water.  There are literally thousands of them in and around the Hawaiian Islands already; what was the big environmental impact concern with this?

Again, it's not only the impact to the water/harbor, but also the receiving island.  Can the docks handle the traffic, intersection handle the increased vehicles, the timing for the lights needs to be adjusted, is security an issue, etc.  Lot's of things other than just the whales.

Also, besides the shippers you have to look at the rental car companies, they wouldn't want the SF too.

This is the perfect example of why competition is good and monopolies are not. Competition almost always benefits the consumer. It leads to higher quality and lower prices. It's a damn shame that the state let this go the way it did. It's such a no brainier. Group of islands. Boat goes between them and carries people. People buy tickets and boat owner makes money. Owner hires more people as business grows. Pretty basic really.

I agree gizer, no eis was done.  There was a lot of talk about needing it and not needing it too though.

Anyways, the point is, if you gonna do something like that, make sure you dot your 'I's"  and cross your "T's", cause a lot of people will be unhappy, especially the already established monopolies.

This is the perfect example of why competition is good and monopolies are not. Competition almost always benefits the consumer. It leads to higher quality and lower prices. It's a damn shame that the state let this go the way it did. It's such a no brainier. Group of islands. Boat goes between them and carries people. People buy tickets and boat owner makes money. Owner hires more people as business grows. Pretty basic really.

Hawaii is in a bit of a unique situation. 

With regards to air travel it was known for a long time that a 2 carrier system was about all that Hawaii could handle.  With Go! taking inside information of a potential merger to put Aloha out of business they learned the hard way that the people here for all their stupidity sometimes get things right.  Go! instead of rivaling Hawaiian for supremacy of Hawaii's skies is now sucking wind.  They are smaller than Aloha ever was and Hawaiian keeps beating them up and taking their lunch money.

With regards to interisland cargo transport, it's really a single company system.  I loved SF, but realistically the rates for YB would have been increased and I think SF would have been forced to adjust their schedule to visit the unprofitable areas of Lanai & Molokai.  The speed was great, but it would have come at a price.  Add in the fact that Pasha want in to certain lucrative interisland routes and I think we potentially could have seen the same thing happen with interisland sea cargo that happened with air travel.

I agree gizer, no eis was done.  There was a lot of talk about needing it and not needing it too though.

Anyways, the point is, if you gonna do something like that, make sure you dot your 'I's"  and cross your "T's", cause a lot of people will be unhappy, especially the already established monopolies.

I do agree about getting things in order bass, but again the EIS process is waived a lot in Hawaii.  I've done a lot of construction projects where it's been waived and no one has complained. 

The single biggest thing about the SF was the political nature of the whole thing. 

What I would really love is if YB could possibly pony up some $$$ to run it.  They'll still need to deal with the rental car companies and heat from Hawaiian and the other air carriers, but they'd be in a better position to do so.  As YB already sucks it up and does the unprofitable harbors, this might be a way to run the SF instead of a barge as a lot of time those locations may not necessitate the use of a barge.

This is the perfect example of why competition is good and monopolies are not. Competition almost always benefits the consumer. It leads to higher quality and lower prices. It's a damn shame that the state let this go the way it did. It's such a no brainier. Group of islands. Boat goes between them and carries people. People buy tickets and boat owner makes money. Owner hires more people as business grows. Pretty basic really.

Anyone remember Interisland airfare when Aloha was in business?  I don't ever remember paying more than $200 to go to Honolulu (from Hilo) while Aloha was flying.  Now that they are gone, $236.00 round trip?  Those were the days!

My point exactly. Monopolies kill growth and jobs. Period. I'm thinking it's time for a change.

Anyone remember Interisland airfare when Aloha was in business?  I don't ever remember paying more than $200 to go to Honolulu (from Hilo) while Aloha was flying.  Now that they are gone, $236.00 round trip?  Those were the days!

Bro what airlines you flying on?  I just flew to Kona on Friday, the round trip wasn't even $200.


BTW I remember the days of $35 coupons.  You walk up to the security line, write in your flight, and you're off.

Sure there are good deal fares here and there but by and large you're paying some good coin to go anywhere on any airline in Hawaii. Not that I can blame them for high prices. The profit margins for airlines is razor thin.

"SUPERFERRY"

Car Cruises, Race Track, Hunting, Visit Ohana, Employment, Look for different place to live with less people.........

Bro what airlines you flying on?  I just flew to Kona on Friday, the round trip wasn't even $200.


BTW I remember the days of $35 coupons.  You walk up to the security line, write in your flight, and you're off.

There's only one airline bro.  I fly for work so I can't be picky and choose the cheapest flight.  I gotta go when I gotta go. During the week and no matter how you slice it, comes up at least 2 bills.  Back when Aloha was in business, I remember $89.00 round trip! Didn't matter which airline because there was competition. 

BTW I remember the days of $35 coupons.  You walk up to the security line, write in your flight, and you're off.

go! had some pretty cutthroat business going down.  Hawaiian was barely making money, but go! was in fact losing money.  The CRJ-200's that go! flies have a poor CASM (Cost per Available Seat Mile).  go! needed to make >$40 a ticket in order to break even.  They were using their parent Mesa to fund them while they pushed someone else out.  Hawaiian and Aloha had planes that operated with a better CASM, but Aloha was still in a pretty bad place.

There's only one airline bro.  I fly for work so I can't be picky and choose the cheapest flight.  I gotta go when I gotta go. During the week and no matter how you slice it, comes up at least 2 bills.  Back when Aloha was in business, I remember $89.00 round trip! Didn't matter which airline because there was competition.

BUD GZ made a bad.  Price was definitely over $200.

BUD GZ made a bad.  Price was definitely over $200.

  No sweat. Lucky for me, company pays for the airfare, but still.......The old days of competition made it reasonable at least. And, if you remember, Aloha did not charge for flight changes.  I used to book the last flight (because it was cheapest) and then show up and get an earlier flight no charge, no fare difference!  That was sweet!  I missed out on the coupons but I bet that was the way to go too!