Manta Explorers Program Brings Together Siblings Separated By Adoption

June 21, 2008

HONOLULU - As part of its Manta Explorers program, Hawaii Superferry partnered with the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa and Polynesian Adventures to host 17 siblings from five separate families and eight chaperones, who are part of the Foster Families of Hawaii's Project Visitation program, for an overnight visit to Maui this weekend.

Project Visitation is a program that brings siblings who have been placed with different foster families together for visitations, which are typically 4-8 hours once a month. Through Hawaii Superferry's Manta Explorers program, participating siblings will have the opportunity to spend the weekend together.

"We are thrilled that Hawaii Superferry's Manta Explorers program could provide these five families with the opportunity to enjoy each other's company for more than just a few hours at a time," said Hawaii Superferry's Director of Customer Experience and Community Relations Lani Olds.

"Additionally, the gracious donation of accommodations by the Grand Wailea Resort made it possible for us to offer these children the kind of trip they will remember for years to come."
 
The Manta Explorers program is an initiative by Hawaii Superferry to offer non-profit organizations an opportunity to voyage to other islands for the purpose of education and exploration.  Earlier this year, the inaugural Manta Explorers trip brought 40 youths served by the Boys and Girls Club of Maui to Oahu for an overnight excursion at the Bishop Museum.

Hawaii Superferry is hosting the voyages to and from Maui, The Grand Wailea Resort is hosting overnight accommodations and meals for the group, and Polynesian Adventures is providing ground transportation on Maui.

After arriving in Kahului this morning, the group was taken on a tour of historical Iao Valley before being dropped off at the Grand Wailea, where they are spending the rest of the weekend participating in various activities planned by the resort, including a fun-filled day in the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool with seven waterslides, rapids, a rope swing and more.

"Ohana is the heart of Grand Wailea's culture so we are delighted to help connect these families together," said Grand Wailea's Managing Director Matt Bailey. "Our goal is to provide everyone an experience filled with joy, laughter, excitement and unforgettable memories."

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these children and a chance for them to reconnect in a very memorable way," commented Connie Sizemore, development director for Foster Families of Hawaii.

About Hawaii Superferry
Hawaii Superferry's vessel, the Alakai, seats 836 passengers and carries 230 vehicles. The company currently has one roundtrip morning voyage daily between Oahu and Maui and a roundtrip afternoon voyage between Oahu and Maui four days a week operating on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Visit http://www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for more information.
 
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Contact:
Brooke Wilson
808-371-0088