Travel Option: Hawai’i Superferry

We planned a trip to Maui this summer to attend Chelsea’s Ho’olaulea at the end of her Ho’olauna Maui Program. Unexpected events, including the loss of two airlines in Hawai’i found us alarmed at the airfare prices. Having been long-time customers of Hawaiian Airlines, we were, well I was a bit irritated with the more than $200 round trip price per person. We thought our choices were limited, until we visited the Hawai’i Superferry website. The cost for my family of four plus “Local Girl” (our vehicle) was more than $300 cheaper, and the sailing schedule fit ours, so we booked without hesitation.

In preparation, we took “Local Girl” to the nearby auto shop to make sure everything mechanical was operable and that there were no leaks. The afternoon before, Lilinoe and Jayden thoroughly washed her and organized the items we typical store in the trunk in a plastic, easy to access container. We had the proof of ownership, current insurance card and both of our driver’s license readily available.

When do I need to check-in?
O‘ahu gates open at 4:30 AM and close at 6:00 AM.

We recommend that you arrive at the port at least 90 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Entrance to the terminal will promptly close 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. You will be denied boarding if you arrive after the entrances are closed.

We arrived as recommended and waited in line. I watched the inspectors use their mirrors to peer under the vehicles; open engine hoods and remove debris; open trunks and have vehicle owners open storage containers and coolers; and question all passengers. The wait was prolonged more so by passengers that either didn’t have their paperwork readily available or had a longer inspection due to their personal items than by the actual process.

We stored Local Girl in her compartment with the other vehicles, Love’s Bakery delivery truck and made our way to the cabins.

The layout was very spacious with a variety of seating options. We opted for a four seater with a table near the bathroom, game room and Manta Cove, but close enough to The Galley for dining. We ate a light meal, Lilinoe and I took the recommended dosage of Dramamine and we were sailing.

I had planned to do some work while Jayden and Lilinoe watched the complimentary movie viewable on the flat screens scattered throughout the ship, but I didn’t know that Dramamine induced sleep and I was quickly drifting off without a fight. An hour into the voyage, I faintly heard Jayden say, “Mommy, my stomach is in my mouth.”

Yes, what followed was a mini-barf-o-rama just like the scene from Stand By Me. Moments before Jayden, a little girl had her stomach in her mouth, after we had cleaned up Jayden and re-dressed him in a brand new Hawai’i Superferry t-shirt, another young boy had his stomach in his mouth. Just as the maintenance staff was done cleaning, yet another little guy running down the walkway had his stomach in his mouth. The floors, furniture and barfing foursome were cleaned quickly and fast asleep in no time and so was I.

We arrived on-time and was on our way to Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center within 10-minutes of arrival. The voyage home was much smoother and without incident.

After this experience, we have decided that the Hawai’i Superferry will be our primary mode of transportation to Maui. We travel to Maui at least six times throughout the year, we’ll certainly be racking up sea miles.

By the way, are you following the Hawai’i Superferry on Twitter?