KAHULUI - As Hawaii Superferry's Alakai left Kahului Harbor for what likely could be the last time Thursday morning, a lone tug sprayed two streams of water into the air in a traditional seafaring aloha.
The vessel's rear observation deck was laden with passengers and Superferry employees, whose camera flashes could be seen as the controversial high-speed ferry exited the harbor about 11:20 a.m. and gunned its engines toward Honolulu.
Left in its wake were 236 Superferry employees - 39 on Maui - who are now jobless. The Alakai has been running for 11 months uninterrupted and carried more than 250,000 customers.
Many of the passengers expressed disappointment that the state Supreme Court on Monday struck down as unconstitutional a law that allowed the Alakai to operate while the state prepared an environmental impact statement.
Tourists, residents and business owners said they'd come to rely on the Superferry as a less expensive and quicker alternative to using Hawaii's barge system or combination of planes and rental cars. They want Superferry to return, they said.
Meanwhile, environmentalists and cultural preservationists called the Superferry's death or indefinite limbo a great victory. But few came out to see the ship for what may be the last time.
"Oh, it'll be back," said Duane Meyer of Haiku, who was taking his '65 Mustang to Oahu for a car show. "The state has too much invested in it. They should let the people decide instead of some judges."
He said that with the Superferry gone, 20 or 30 other Maui classic car enthusiasts have opted out of the "Aloha Rod & Custom Super Show" on April 18 on Oahu. Meyer said it costs up to $500 to transport his low rider via a barge, not including his flight. The Superferry was about $200 round trip for both him and his Ford, he said.
The Alakai holds up to 800 passengers and about 200 vehicles. Thursday's trip from Oahu to Maui held 290 passengers and 84 vehicles. The last run from Maui to Oahu carried 398 passengers and 126 vehicles, said Superferry spokeswoman Lori Abe.
The passenger and cargo numbers were likely higher than normal Thursday as people scrambled to get their vehicles and belongings home on the final trips. Roughly half of the vehicles had commercial logos on their sides or were filled with furniture and other large items, such as motorcycles.
Also, Superferry's Web site essentially was shut down Thursday, other than a statement by Superferry President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Fargo and a link to get a full refund for any of the ferry's outstanding 16,000 tickets.
Richard Houck, company vice president of operations, called it "a five-hankie day. . . . It's like high school graduation, and when it's all over, everyone will be gone in all directions."
Duane Kim, a former Superferry employee who now works for the state harbors, said it was sad to see the Superferry off on Thursday.
After saying goodbye and hugging fellow employees, Kim said he was optimistic the service could return.
Superferry Maui Port Manager Steven Phander wore a suit and donned three neck lei for the ferry's last voyage.
"We are praying and hoping (it will be back)," he said. "They all stuck it out together. They are like family to each other."
The company had one full- and two part-time employees on Maui while the rest were contract employees paid by the hour. The company has said it would hire a few employees to maintain its facilities and basic operations.
Kazuko Ohashi-White, a customer service representative for the ferry, said she loved her job.
Ohashi-White, who has been with the company since operations started in late 2007, said she endured the ups and downs of the venture, including the days when employees sat in on court hearings for weeks to hear testimony about the potential negative impacts of the ferry.
Unlike her fellow co-workers, Ohashi-White chose not to take the ferry on its voyage Thursday from Maui to Oahu. She said the employees will meet with state unemployment officials today.
"This company, they take care of their employees," she said.
Passenger Morgan Migita of Honolulu was among those who called the Superferry a lifeline for the islands.
Migita was shipping his truck back to Oahu and said he was upset over the court decision that led to the halt of the Superferry's interisland service. He said he called the Superferry office repeatedly to ask if there was something that could be done to keep the service alive.
"I think it's a crying shame they cannot continue this service," he said.
Several passengers said they would be contacting their state representatives to express support for reinstating Superferry operations.
As the Alakai prepared to disembark, retired Makawao residents Ruth and Dave Fullaway sat in their truck near Cary & Eddie's Hideaway admiring the ferry and snapping photos before she left.
"It's so sad," said Ruth Fullaway, who has taken the ferry twice.
She said she enjoyed being able to take the ferry to Oahu to shop and bring back a lot more than she could on an airplane.
Ferry opponent Dot Buck of Pukalani stood near the harbor's beach. She said she stopped by only because she and her son were on their way into town anyway.
Buck had protested against the ferry's arrival and watched court proceedings one day, she said.
"I saw it in the harbor and said, 'Let's say goodbye, ha ha ha. That's what they get for trying to cram something down our throats."
Buck accused the company of using jobs as emotional leverage to achieve its own business goals.
"I feel sorry for the employees," Buck said as she waved to the passengers in the distance.
* Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com. Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
