Aloha,

Last month, Hawaii Superferry kicked off the summer travel season with record numbers of Maui and O‘ahu residents voyaging over the Memorial Day weekend. More than 21,000 passengers and 5,800 vehicles traveled between Maui and O‘ahu in May, Hawaii Superferry's first full month of operations.

We are happy to see businesses and residents taking advantage of our service and spending time with their families on other islands. We sometimes need a reminder as to how fortunate we are to call Hawai‘i our home and to take advantage of and explore all our islands have to offer.

Many people from O‘ahu have never taken a drive up to Haleakala to watch the sunrise, and folks from Maui may have yet to experience hiking Diamond Head crater or visiting the Honolulu Zoo. People from all over the world travel to Hawai‘i every year to experience the sights and wonders of our islands, traveling a long way to do so.

We are fortunate to have paradise right in front of us every day. I encourage you to vacation this summer here in Hawai‘i and, if you haven't already, take advantage of our $49 one-way promotional passenger fares good through September 30, 2008. 

This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Duane Kim, who is in charge of our port operations on Maui. You will also read about how Hawaii Superferry had the privilege of welcoming aboard Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that trains assistance dogs to provide support those who face the daily challenges of life with a disability.

We appreciate your continued support to help us to connect Hawai‘i's ‘ohana and islands by sea. I look forward to welcoming you aboard the Alakai on your next trip.

Mahalo,

Tom Fargo
President & Chief Executive Officer

Managing all of Hawaii Superferry operations on the island of Maui is no easy job, but Duane Kim, who started with Hawaii Superferry in early 2006 as part of the initial launch team, handles it with a smile.

As Maui manager, Duane's primary responsibilities are to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the Kahului Ferry Terminal at Pier 2 in Kahului Harbor, ensure high levels of customer service, and maintain vessel arrival and departure on-time performance.

“The most interesting aspect of my job is the excitement people from all walks of life show for the opportunities Hawaii Superferry has to offer with our unique and fun alternative mode of inter-island transportation,” says Duane.

Prior to being hired by Hawaii Superferry, Duane was the Maui general manager for Island Movers, Inc. He also previously served as project manager for Maui Research and Technology Center, and as the Hawaii Area Terminal Manager for Matson Navigation Co.

Duane also has a very strong and personal commitment to giving back to his community whenever possible and has previously served on the Board of Directors for Maui United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui, and Boy Scouts of America Maui Council.

He was born and raised on O‘ahu and earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Washington State University. Duane lives in Wailuku with his wife and three children.

Hawaii Superferry had the privilege of welcoming aboard Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that trains assistance dogs to provide support to those who face the daily challenges of life with a disability other than blindness.

Started in 1999, Hawaii Fi-Do is run by volunteers and is the only certified training center of its kind on O‘ahu, specializing in training skilled dogs for autistic children.

“Marie Wachsmuth and her assistant dog, Odi, were treated royally by all the staff,” said Susan Luehrs, Executive Director of Hawaii Fi-Do, about their trip on the Alakai to Maui with their first working team of service dogs.

Hawaii Superferry is proud to offer an inter-island transportation alternative for passengers with special needs.

Get more information:

• Hawaii Fi-Do
• Information for passengers with limited mobility or other needs