The first passengers to take advantage of the new service boarded the Pride of Aloha this past weekend.

A few of the customers said they liked the fact that the cruises start and end on Saturdays.

"It really just worked out for us on the dates and the choice," said Mark Wever of North Carolina.

Robert Kritzman, executive vice president and managing director for Hawaii operations of NCL America, said the new service from Maui gives the company's passengers another option.

"Maui is obviously a very popular destination," Kritzman said. "From what our travel agents say, there are a lot of customers who are interested in starting on Maui."

The Maui service will benefit the Valley Island, he said.

Kritzman cited state figures that showed 75 percent of cruise ship passengers spend several more days on land as part of their vacation.

Hawaii Nature Center lands $20,000 EPA educational grant

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today a $20,000 grant to the Hawaii Nature Center for a Hawaii watershed environmental program for low income elementary school students on Oahu and Maui.

"The goal of the program is to teach science and instill an environmental ethic, making a personal connection with nature, while being well-informed about Hawai'i's natural environment," said Kate Nooney, project officer with the EPA's Pacific Southwest Region.