An unknown number of Hawaii Superferry customers continue to seek help from the company to either get back home or get a refund.

The interisland ferry, which launched last Sunday, made only two successful trips to Maui and one to Kaua'i before service was suspended. Maui travel was halted Monday because of a temporary restraining order resulting from a court ruling that the state must conduct an environmental assessment of publicly funded, ferry-related projects at Kahului Harbor.

Kaua'i service was suspended Tuesday after protesters on land and in the water prevented the 350-foot vessel from docking at Nawiliwili Harbor on Monday night.

The company's Web site on Friday said that Kaua'i voyages are suspended at least through Wednesday, and Maui sailings at least through Sept. 11.

The company did not respond to repeated requests by The Advertiser last week to provide information on how many travelers were affected by the suspension of service and sought help getting back to their point of origin or a refund.

The ferry is expected to make at least one more trip to Maui to pick up any stranded passengers and vehicles, as permitted by the court, but departure information has not been announced.

Hawaii Superferry is providing refunds, air and ground transportation, car rental, hotel accommodations and car shipment for stranded passengers who took the ferry Sunday or Monday.

Kaua'i Realtor Richard Dolbeare of Hanapepe caught the Hawaii Superferry from Nawiliwili Harbor to Honolulu last Sunday. He took his Hyundai sport utility vehicle along and planned to return to Kaua'i Tuesday, knowing there was a chance he could get stranded if service was suspended.

"It seemed like a nice way to go, and the fare was cheaper than flying and I could take my car with me, but the best thing was that it was a new experience," said Dolbeare, 62.

When it looked like the ferry service would be halted because of protests, Dolbeare said he sent eight e-mails and called the company's reservation line but was told he had to talk with someone at the corporate office. He said he didn't hear from anyone from Hawaii Superferry until Thursday, but by then he had made his own arrangements to get himself and his car back to Kaua'i.

On Friday, he put his SUV on a Young Brothers barge for $180, and today he's leaving on a $19 go! flight to Lihu'e. His car won't arrive until Tuesday.

While stranded on O'ahu, Dolbeare has been staying with a friend and was able to conduct business using his laptop computer and wireless phone.

"It sounds like they are going to cover all my costs and that's really nice to know, but it was disappointing that they kept me in the dark so long," he said.

Despite the trouble, Dolbeare said he would travel on the ferry again "if it settles down."

Honolulu retiree John Boyles said he was uncertain how to go about getting a refund for a trip he had planned to Maui in early October to check out the ferry "and see how it works." He said he paid $135 for roundtrip fares for himself and his car.

But after news reports of the Kaua'i protests, Boyles, 65, said he's no longer interested in taking the ferry. "I'm concerned over the safety of myself and my car," he said.

Hawaiian and Aloha airlines are assisting Hawaii Superferry passengers affected by cancellations with a special $19 one-way fare. The special fares are not eligible for reimbursement from Hawaii Superferry.

The fare is good for travel until Oct. 31; reservations must be made by Friday. Seats are limited.

People holding bookings on the ferry can request a refund by phone or online at the Hawaii Superferry Web site. Because of the high volume of calls the company has been fielding, it is recommended that refund requests be submitted online.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.