On paper, the idea of the super ferry is great, but is it really a viable option for Hawaii residents and tourists? That’s a question many are asking after eight straight days of canceled voyages due to bad weather, vessel repairs and other setbacks the company has suffered since its Dec. 13 re-launch. Since then, it has been operating with only a third of its anticipated passenger load, and rough seas and other problems have led it to cancel its daily round-trip between Honolulu and Maui a total of 14 days.
If you are a tourist in Honolulu on a 10-day holiday that you have planned for over two years, do you really want to take the risk of booking the ferry and then have it cancel on you? Or if you are a resident, can you afford to take the ferry to visit a friend in Maui over the weekend with your car and then Sunday night have the return voyage to Oahu canceled? How do you explain that to your boss on Monday? Maybe get lucky and get a flight back to Oahu, but what about your car? You get back to Oahu but you still have to wait for your car to return from Maui. Super Ferry representative John stated that, "They are not responsible for any additional expenses incurred due to a voyage cancellation, such as hotel, airfare or car rental. The Super Ferry will offer complimentary voyages for the passenger and vehicle". (Posted by CM)
February 6th, 2008
In recent years, Pro Bowl practices have been at Ihilani Resort out at Ko’Olina. But with the new Disney resort under construction, the NFL was forced to find a new venue. So the NFL contacted Kapolei High School. The school is happy to host the players and is enjoying watching them practice. As Kapolei football coach Darren Hernandez stated in the Honolulu Advertiser, "This is a tremendous treat for our students, and me. I feel like a kid out here too!"
One of the best things about this partnership is that the NFL has made improvements to the field and purchased a $40,000 riding mower that they are going to leave with the school. It is great to see a huge organization like the NFL making connections with local organizations here in Oahu and continuing their long tradition of giving back to the community. The Pro Bowl has had a strong connection with Hawaii for 28 years, and we hope to see it continue. Today starts a week of "kick-off" events here on Honolulu leading up to game day this Sunday at Aloha Stadium.
February 6th, 2008
