The Hawaii Superferry's Alakai will go into drydock for 2 1/2 weeks starting Wednesday — three months earlier than planned — for permanent repairs to its damaged auxiliary rudder system, company officials said yesterday.

The Alakai, which has been hit with a number of political, legal and weather-related problems since its original planned launch last summer, will resume service March 3, officials said.

The company is moving up a previously scheduled drydocking for maintenance and Coast Guard certification, which was to begin in May, to take advantage of an expected slow period in bookings, company spokeswoman Lori Abe said.

The early drydocking also will allow the company to make permanent repairs to the rudder system, "which will enhance passenger comfort," the company said.

The Superferry canceled its daily service to Maui for eight consecutive days in late January and early February because of bad weather and the discovery of cracks in the auxiliary rudders, used to help steer the vessel.

The cracks were discovered during routine maintenance while the ship was idled by the bad weather. Temporary repairs were made and the Alakai returned to service this week, Abe said. A decision was made yesterday to advance the drydocking so the permanent repairs could be made, she said.

Passengers holding reservations for the canceled period will receive refunds, be reticketed on a future voyage or receive special rates to book their trip on Hawaiian Airlines instead, said Lani Olds, the company's director of customer experience and community relations.

Since the Superferry was relaunched Dec. 13, it has been idled for 14 days by bad weather and other problems and operated with only a third of its anticipated passenger load.

Earlier company filings with the Public Utilities Commission indicated the ferry anticipated being out of service for 10 days a year because of foul weather, maintenance and other issues.

Hawaii Superferry president and CEO John Garibaldi has said the ferry is averaging about 150 bookings a trip, while the planned passenger load was 410. The 349-foot-long, twin-hulled Alakai can carry 866 people and 282 cars.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.