The new interisland passenger service earlier had said it would start to take reservations this month, with service beginning in July. Now, those dates have pushed back to early summer for reservations and "later this summer" for service.

Company president and chief executive officer John Garibaldi said the company's first vessel — the Alakai — is still being worked on by Austal, the shipbuilder, before it will leave Mobile, Ala., for Hawai'i.

Garibaldi said the ship must complete a U.S. Coast Guard rigorous certification and inspection process. He said this is the first ship of its kind to be built by Austal.

"The Alakai is a unique, state-of-the-art U.S. flagged vessel," Garibaldi said. "The Coast Guard, Austal and Hawaii Superferry want to ensure that the vessel, its machinery and equipment, as well as its safety systems and plans, are thoroughly inspected and reviewed."

Spokeswoman Lori Abe said the company declined to be more specific while the inspection process continues. "Unfortunately, we really can't say," she said.

Abe said the company is making progress on other start-up plans. "The hiring process is going well," she said, for staff members on O'ahu, Kaua'i and Maui. The company anticipates it will hire about 200 employees.