Molokai ferry’s official last day is Thursday
Ticket holders will receive refunds
The official last day for the Molokai ferry will be Thursday, according to a notice from ferry operator Sea Link of Hawaii.
The date is a day earlier than one reported on Page A1 on Thursday based on information from Sea Link President and Senior Capt. Dave Jung. Lahaina Cruise Co. Manager Lucy Parkin said that the discrepancy in dates stemmed from a miscommunication with company attorneys that was cleared up Thursday morning before official end-of-service notices were released.
Sea Link will remain available to process refunds until Dec. 16. By that date, completed refund forms may be mailed to Sea Link of Hawaii Inc., 1036 Limahana Place, 3E, Lahaina 96761. Unused paper tickets or coupons may be stapled to or enclosed with the form.
Refund forms will be available on Sea Link’s website at www.molokaiferry.com; at Sea Link’s main office by mail or by phone at 661-3392; by email at info@molokaiferry.
com; or via mail at the company’s Limahana Place address.
Until Thursday, refund forms also will be available at Sea Link’s Limahana office and at its ticket sales offices at Lahaina and Kaunakakai harbors. Forms will be available at Lahaina from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and at Kaunakakai from 4 to 5 p.m. on the same days.
By Dec. 16, Sea Link will attempt to notify electronic ticket holders using the contact information provided at the time of sale of the last day of ferry service and provide options for refunds via phone and/or email. Electronic ticket holders may contact the company at 661-3392 or
info@molokaiferry.com. The company asks customers to provide their full names and/or confirmation number to expedite a refund.
Also by Dec. 16, the company will attempt to notify prepaid bulk or group ticket holders by using the same methods and offering the same options as electronic ticket holders.
On Monday, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved Sea Link’s request to surrender its “certificate of public convenience and necessity” within 10 days. The certificate has allowed the company’s Molokai Princess to carry passengers between Maui and Molokai.
The ferry has been struggling to stay in business, hurt by federally subsidized commuter air travel, declining ridership and government regulations, Jung said Wednesday.
Sea Link reported that its total passenger count dropped 49 percent from 1,691 in January to 859 in July. It reported that customers were choosing to take less-expensive interisland airlines.
About 10 employees work on the Molokai ferry, and they are expected to be absorbed by sister company Lahaina Cruise Co., Jung said.