Hawaii Superferry Ceases Operations After State Supreme Court Ruling

Hawaii's innovative inter-island ferry is forced to shut down because high court rejects state law that allowed the firm to operate while environmental study was being conducted.

In the wake of the court ruling, Hawaii Superferry issued the following Statement to the media:

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Statement from Tom Fargo, President & CEO of Hawaii Superferry

We would like to extend our gratitude to the more than 250,000 customers who have voyaged and booked with us and to all who have supported our service. I am especially grateful to the businesses that have sailed with us and now have apparently lost an economical alternative - Love¹s Bakery, CFI, Expeditors, FedEx, to name a few, as well as a host of smaller companies.

This is a difficult time for all of us. Our employees have been nothing but stellar in their dedication to our company and in their service to our customers and our community. I have been impressed with the commitment of our team in executing with great detail and energy all of our procedures to properly address environmental concerns and provide our passengers with the best customer service.

As I mentioned two days ago, we are hugely disappointed with the Supreme Court¹s decision that Act 2 is unconstitutional.

After a year of operations, including a successful winter season, we looked forward to the upcoming spring break with great energy and enthusiasm.

The problem before us today is there appears to be no short-term solution to this ruling. To conduct another EIS, even with the work done to date, and move it through legal review might take a year or so. Other options don¹t provide the certainty necessary to sustain a business.

As a result, we are going to have to go out and find other employment for Alakai, for now.

Obviously, this is not even close to our preferred outcome. We have believed from the start and continue to believe that there is a clear and unmet need for an Inter-Island High Speed Ferry System for the state. My hope, our hope, is that the conditions will eventually be such that we can realize that vision in Hawaii.