Luring O'ahu commuters from their cars won't be easy, and simply waiting for a mass transit system to be fully developed won't cut it.

That's why the city's plans to launch a Kalaeloa-Aloha Tower ferry service should be seen as a smart investment that could help Honolulu become a city with a range of commuting options.

We can think of it as the first step in a re-education campaign to change the public's entrenched transportation habits. In an island community that enjoys relatively placid weather year-round, there is every reason to think of the sea as another option for travel.

Commuter ferries have been tried here before, and failed. The Hannemann administration has hit on one of the major impediments in past attempts: the lack of connecting buses at the dock.

Wisely, $1 million has been allotted to create those connections with shuttle routes — and at the same $2 single fare that bus riders pay. This will ensure that O'ahu makes the most of the $5 million in federal funds granted to run the ferries for a trial period.

What's still missing is a park-and-ride strategy, and it's a crucial link. Parking is not available at the Kalaeloa terminus for the short term, but while that's pursued the city must explore potential parking areas at the shuttle stops.

These plans also should include some provision for security, if commuters are to be expected to leave cars parked all day. Carpooling should be encouraged to reduce the cars seeking parking.

The proposed ferry and shuttle schedule looks encouraging; seamless transfers from boat to bus and back, and minimal waiting time, are key to convenience and success.

The same company producing the Superferry vessels will operate the O'ahu service, and it is studying various vessels to find the one that best balances cost with ride stability. Reasonable comfort, another essential element, must be given proper weight in the final decision. The waves along the south shore can get pretty choppy, and a queasy feeling will not do much for ridership.

Every effort should be made to ensure the success of this project, which should ultimately be measured by its longevity more than its initial passenger capacity.

The idea is to create a new commuting culture, one with multiple options. That will need to be in place when any fixed guideway system is built.

Let the re-education begin.