Community can decide for itself if it wants service, new CEO says

The Hawaii Superferry, which hasn’t sailed to Kaua’i since harbor protesters blocked its arrival in August, intends to resume trips there only if the community signals it wants the service restored, the company’s new chief executive said yesterday.

“We’re going to do what is right for each community,” said retired Navy Adm. Thomas Fargo, who took over Superferry’s top job last week.

The Superferry also will raise its $39 one-way fare between Honolulu and Maui to $49 on June 6. Fargo, in a telephone interview with The Advertiser, said the price is still “hugely competitive.”

Starting Friday, the Superferry will add a second roundtrip to Maui, four days a week, but it has no timeline for returning to Kaua’i, Fargo said.

If the Superferry were to get some kind of signal from the community, especially from leadership, that service is desired, the carrier would respond to the request, Fargo said.

Asked what would constitute a signal from the community, Fargo said: “There’ll be a momentum or view by the community that they would like Superferry service.” He added that he wasn’t sure how that view would be communicated.

At least one Kaua’i politician suggested that the company is still unwelcomed by many people on that island.

Sen. Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua’i, Ni’ihau), said the percentage of Kaua’i residents opposed to the Superferry probably hasn’t changed much and likely won’t change much until the company shows it is reliable and forthright with the community.

“The Hawaii Superferry needs to prove itself in terms of reliability, service and community commitment first, and they haven’t done that on Maui,” Hooser said. “It’s proven to be unreliable.”

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(Source: Honolulu Advertiser)