Posted at 12:50 p.m., Monday, May 7, 2001

Moloka'i-Maui ferry begins service

• On the Web: www.molokaiferry.com

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

LAHAINA, Maui — The Moloka'i Princess made her inaugural run from Kaunakakai to Lahaina this morning with only three passengers aboard.

Two visitors from California and a Kaunakakai man visiting friends on Maui enjoyed a 70-minute crossing on calm seas.

"It was a nice trip. It beats flying," said Richard Dixson, a retired seaman who lived on Maui for 30 years before moving to Moloka'i.

Sea Link of Hawai'i Inc. has spent the last six months refitting the 100-foot vessel for regular runs between the two islands.

The 149-passenger ferry provides one commuter trip daily to Moloka'i residents working at West Maui hotels, with sightseeing voyages during the day. Officials said they expect commuters on board once arrangements are made with hotels, and more Moloka'i residents are able to use the service.

Sea Link will provide one free round-trip for Moloka'i residents to interview for jobs with Maui employers participating in the commuter program.

Commuters pay $15 per round-trip ticket. Rates for the public are $40 one way for adults and $20 for children. A book of six tickets costs $185.

Sea Link operated the Maui Princess ferry service between Moloka'i and Maui until October 1996, when state subsidies ended. The new ferry does not receive any direct government money.

Commuter service will run Monday through Saturday, leaving Kaunakakai at 6 a.m. and arriving at Lahaina at 7:15 a.m. The return trip leaves Lahaina at 5 p.m. and arrives in Kaunakakai at 6:15 p.m.