Important Notice
The Hawaii Superferry ceased all operations on March 19, 2009, following a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. There are no current fares to book and no active service. This page preserves the historical fare information for research and reference purposes.
Compare Flights: Honolulu (HNL) to Maui (OGG)
The Hawaii Superferry Schedule: The Historical Record
When the Hawaii Superferry launched regular Oahu to Maui service on December 1, 2007, it operated a single round trip per day — one morning departure from Honolulu and one midday return from Kahului.
Oahu to Maui: Honolulu to Kahului
| Day | Departure (Honolulu) | Arrival (Kahului) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| Sunday | 8:30 AM* | 11:30 AM* |
*Sunday departures ran approximately 2 hours later than weekday departures.
Maui to Oahu: Kahului to Honolulu
| Day | Departure (Kahului) | Arrival (Honolulu) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Tuesday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Thursday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Friday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Saturday | 11:15 AM | 2:15 PM |
| Sunday | 1:30 PM* | 4:30 PM* |
*Sunday return departures ran approximately 2 hours later.
Afternoon Service Added (2008)
As demand grew, the Superferry added afternoon sailings to give passengers more scheduling flexibility. When the afternoon service was introduced, reservations were opened at the existing promotional $39 one-way passenger fare and $55 one-way vehicle fare that had been extended for travel through the summer.
The company noted at the time that advance bookings had been very strong since the resumption of service, and the addition of afternoon sailings was intended to provide greater opportunities for residents to visit friends and family during Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer.
This gave passengers two daily options — a morning crossing that arrived in Maui in time for a full day of activities, and an afternoon crossing that suited travelers with later schedules.
Crossing Duration and Ports
Crossing time: Approximately 3 hours each way
Oahu departure port: Pier 19, Honolulu Harbor Downtown Honolulu, Oahu
Maui arrival port: Kahului Harbor Kahului, Maui
The Kahului Harbor location was convenient for accessing both West Maui (Kaanapali, Kapalua) and South Maui (Kihei, Wailea) — a roughly 30–45 minute drive from the harbor to either resort area, similar to the drive from Kahului Airport.
Where to Stay in Maui
Compare hotels across Maui:
What the Schedule Meant for Day Trippers
The Superferry’s schedule was specifically designed to enable day trips between the islands — a genuine advantage over flying that the airline schedule didn’t always accommodate as cleanly.
A typical day trip from Oahu to Maui on the Superferry looked like this:
6:30 AM — Depart Honolulu Harbor 9:30 AM — Arrive Kahului Harbor, Maui 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM — Drive to your destination (Road to Hana, Kaanapali, Haleakala) Full day — Explore Maui 11:15 AM — Return departure from Kahului (same day) 2:15 PM — Arrive back in Honolulu
The 11:15 AM return was a limitation — it gave day trippers only about 90 minutes on the island before needing to head back. Travelers who wanted a meaningful day in Maui typically needed to stay at least one night.
For visitors with vehicles, the schedule worked especially well — driving your own car onto the ferry in Honolulu and off in Kahului eliminated the need for a rental car, which was one of the Superferry’s most distinctive selling points.
Planned Routes That Never Happened
The Superferry’s original vision was far more ambitious than the single Oahu-Maui route it ultimately operated. The company had planned service to multiple islands:
Kauai (Nawiliwili Harbor): The Superferry attempted Kauai service from its very first voyage — but protesters on surfboards blockaded Nawiliwili Harbor, and the service was never successfully established on a regular basis. The Honolulu to Nawiliwili route was planned to depart at 3:00 PM and arrive at 6:00 PM, with a return at 7:00 PM arriving back in Honolulu at 10:00 PM.
Big Island (Kawaihae Harbor near Kona): Service to the Big Island was planned for 2009 using the second vessel, the Huakai. The shutdown in March 2009 meant this route was never launched.
The full planned network: Had the Superferry succeeded, it would have connected all four major Hawaiian islands — Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island — in a daily ferry network. The schedule would have looked something like this:
- Honolulu → Kahului: 6:30 AM departure
- Honolulu → Nawiliwili (Kauai): 3:00 PM departure
- Big Island service: To be determined for 2009
How the Schedule Compared to Flying
The fundamental trade-off between the Superferry and flying was time versus experience:
| Hawaii Superferry | Inter-Island Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Crossing time | ~3 hours | 35–40 minutes |
| Check-in required | Yes — arrive early | Yes — airport security |
| Vehicle transport | Yes — drive on/off | No |
| Departure frequency | 1–2 per day | 70+ per day |
| Departure flexibility | Limited | Highly flexible |
| Onboard experience | Spacious, walkable, dining | Standard airline seating |
For most travelers — particularly those without vehicles — the time difference was significant. Flying saved nearly 2.5 hours each way. For families bringing their own vehicle, or travelers who wanted a genuinely different experience, the Superferry offered something airlines couldn’t match.
Current Flight Schedules: Oahu to Maui Today
Since the Superferry’s closure in 2009, flying remains the only way to travel between Oahu and Maui. The current flight situation is significantly better than what existed when the Superferry operated:
Current Oahu to Maui flights:
- Departure airport: Honolulu International Airport (HNL) — Inter-island Terminal
- Arrival airport: Kahului Airport (OGG)
- Flight time: 35–40 minutes
- Daily departures: 70+ flights per day
- Airlines: Southwest, Hawaiian, Alaska, Mokulele, Southern Airways
Sample current flight schedule (varies daily): Flights depart roughly every 20–30 minutes during peak hours — from early morning (around 6:00 AM) through late evening (around 9:00 PM). This gives travelers far more scheduling flexibility than the Superferry’s 1–2 daily crossings.
Current fares:
- Lowest one-way: $44–$65 (booked in advance)
- Average one-way: $65–$120
- Peak season: $120–$200+
Compared to the Superferry’s standard $39 one-way fare in 2008, today’s inter-island flights are competitively priced — and the 35-minute flight versus the 3-hour crossing makes flying significantly more practical for most travelers.
➡️ Compare current Oahu to Maui flight schedules and prices →
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hawaii Superferry operated one daily round trip between Honolulu and Kahului. The standard schedule was a 6:30 AM departure from Honolulu arriving at 9:30 AM in Kahului, with an 11:15 AM return from Kahului arriving at 2:15 PM in Honolulu. Sunday departures were approximately 2 hours later. Afternoon sailings were added later in the service period.
The crossing took approximately 3 hours each way, compared to 35–40 minutes for a flight covering the same distance.
The Superferry departed from Pier 19 at Honolulu Harbor in downtown Honolulu, and arrived at Kahului Harbor on Maui — the same harbor area used by cargo ships today.
The Superferry attempted Kauai service but was blocked by protesters at Nawiliwili Harbor from the very beginning. Regular scheduled Kauai service was never successfully established.
No. Service to the Big Island (Kawaihae Harbor near Kona) was planned for 2009 using a second vessel, but the company shut down in March 2009 before this route could launch.
No. The Hawaii Superferry closed permanently in March 2009 and no replacement service has launched. Flying is the only way to travel between Oahu and Maui. With 70+ daily flights taking 35–40 minutes, the flight option is genuinely convenient and affordable.
The only active passenger ferry in Hawaii is the Expeditions ferry between Maui and Lanai — a 45-minute crossing used primarily for day trips from Maui to Lanai’s beaches.
Plan Your Oahu to Maui Trip
Now that you know flying is your only option, here’s everything you need: