Updated at 4:37 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2007
Interisland Hawaii Superferry christened 'Alakai'
Advertiser Staff
One of two vessels to be used for ferrying people and cars between O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands was christened today in Mobile, Ala., where it was constructed.The 350-foot-long ship was named "Alakai," which means "ocean path," officials said.
"It's seen as a name deep in Hawaiian tradition and culture, really as the one to move us forward," said John Garibaldi, Hawaii Superferry president and chief executive officer, by phone from Mobile this morning.
The christening took place about noon in Alabama (7 a.m., Hawai'i time) at Austal's Shipyard. The second vessel is still under construction and will be completed next year.
Alakai will hold 866 passengers and 250 cars.
Garibaldi said the vessel will start its two-week cruise from Mobile to Honolulu Harbor next month.
Service between O'ahu and Maui and between O'ahu and Kaua'i aboard the boat are set to start in July, he said, with one-way fares of $42 per person and $55 per vehicle.
The superferry will start accepting reservations in May.
