Hawaii Superferry to Begin Layoffs on Friday

By Wendy Osher

The Hawaii Superferry will begin releasing employees beginning this Friday, March 20th. The move comes following yesterday’s Hawaii Supreme Court decision that deemed Act 2 unconstitutional. The legislation was created in 2007, granting the company an exemption to operate while an EIS was being conducted.

Hawaii Superferry file image.

The Hawaii Superferry will suspend operations after making a voyage Thursday to bring customers and stranded vehicles back to their home ports. The company employees 161 full and part time employees and 75 contracted workers.

Lori Abe, with the company’s public relations department issued a release this afternoon saying, “These are exceptional people who have been valued members of our company. Anyone who has sailed on Alakai can attest to their competence and Aloha to our customers.”

The company is now working with the state’s Rapid Response team with the Department of Labor to provide employees with relocation assistance.

(By Wendy OSHER © 2009)