Hawaii Superferry Passengers up 40 Percent in July

August 04, 2008

HONOLULU – Ridership on Hawaii Superferry continues to increase with the number of passengers voyaging on Hawaii Superferry in July up approximately 40 percent over June figures. The number of vehicles in July is up 36 percent over June. More than 36,600 passengers and 9,200 vehicles traveled between O‘ahu and Maui during the month of July, averaging 390 passengers and 99 vehicles per voyage. June passenger count was previously reported up 20 percent over May.

“Business is good and we are very pleased with the rate at which our passenger and vehicle loads have increased these past three months,” said Hawaii Superferry President & CEO Tom Fargo. “We have operated over 400 voyages now and we’re equally pleased with the feedback we’ve been receiving from passengers.  Ninety-eight percent said they would recommend traveling with us to their family and friends and that is obviously a key reason for our growth.”

Hawaii Superferry recently commissioned QMark Research to conduct a quantitative study in the form of in-person passenger intercept surveys onboard the Alakai from June 20, 2008 through July 29, 2008. Passengers were randomly selected on randomly selected voyages, with 347 in-person surveys completed in this phase of the study. The margin of error for a sample of this size (n=347) is +/-  5.26 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level. Results of the study include:

• A solid majority (92 percent) of the passengers polled rate their overall experience on Hawaii Superferry as being “very good,” the highest rating possible on a four-point scale.
• 92 percent of the passengers polled have a “very favorable” opinion of Hawaii Superferry, the highest rating possible on a four-point scale.
• 90 percent of those polled indicate it is “very likely” they would use Hawaii Superferry in the future.
• Nearly everyone surveyed (98 percent) indicate they would recommend Hawaii Superferry to family and friends.
• 39 percent of all passengers are traveling on Hawaii Superferry as part of their vacation plans – 85 percent of these passengers are kama‘aina.
• Lower cost and wanting to try it were the two reasons mentioned most often as reasons for using Hawaii Superferry.

View the summary of study findings

Hawaii Superferry is offering a $59 one-way passenger fare for travel August 5 through October 31, 2008. One-way passenger vehicle fares during this travel period are $65. One-way fares for seniors (62+), children (2-12), and retired and active military personnel, and their dependents, are $49 during this period. 

These new one-way fares do not include applicable taxes and fees. A fuel surcharge is not applicable to these fares during this period. Peak pricing is applicable on certain days during this period. Rates are subject to change.

Customers are encouraged to visit http://www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for the latest schedules and fares and to make their reservations online. Customers may also make reservations by calling 1-877-HI-FERRY (877-443-3779) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. HST, seven days a week.

Hawaii Superferry's ship, the Alakai, seats up to 800 passengers and carries approximately 200 vehicles. The company operates a daily roundtrip morning voyage between O‘ahu and Maui and a roundtrip afternoon voyage between O‘ahu and Maui four days a week. Visit http://www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for arrival and departure times.

# # # #

Contact: Lori Abe (808) 539-3415
labe@mcneilwilson.com