[5] The United States Navy eventually purchased the craft for a total of $35M, a small fraction of their original $180M cost.

[6] The vessel used by Hawaii Superferry was an aluminum-hulled catamaran with drive-on / drive-off vehicle capability or fast ferry service.

The vessel is powered by MTU Friedrichshafen engines running on ultra-low sulfur diesel using waterjet propulsion which the company claimed will minimize impact to marine mammals.

The concept of the Superferry was founded in 2001 and first announced by founders Timothy Dick, John Garibaldi, and Robert "Terry" White in September 2003 after more than two years of planning.

The company claimed fares for a family trip to be similar to the equivalent airfare, car rental, and parking.

Meanwhile, the company secured its first investors, including Maui Land & Pineapple Company,[12] Grove Farm on Kauaʻi,[13] and a MARAD loan guarantee of $140 million [14] The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled on August 23, 2007, that the state Department of Transportation had erred in not requiring a second environmental impact assessment for harbor improvements at Kahului Harbor, reversing an earlier ruling in 2005 by Maui Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cardoza.

[18][19][20][21] On August 27, 2007, Judge Cardoza issued a temporary restraining order barring the Superferry from accessing Kahului Harbor, causing Maui service to be suspended.

[22] Meanwhile, the Superferry was forced to turn back from its second trip to Kauaʻi after protestors again blockaded the Nawiliwili Harbor resulting in several more arrests.

[25] On October 9, 2007, Maui Judge Joseph Cardoza ruled the ferry could not resume service while the state conducts an environmental impact assessment.

[28] On Monday October 29, 2007 the State Senate approved a bill to allow "large capacity ferry vessels" to operate between ports in the Hawaiian Islands while an environmental statement is prepared.

[31] On Wednesday November 14, 2007, Maui Court Judge Cardoza lifted the injunction banning the ferry from sailing to Kahului Harbor consistent with the new law.

On March 16, 2009, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that allowing the Superferry to operate prior to completion of the environmental study was unconstitutional.

[39] The revival resurfaced in July 2010 when former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann introduced a "10-point action plan to boost the state's economy if he is elected governor."

[42] On February 4, 2016, the Honolulu Advertiser reported that lawmakers have directed the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study to establish a ferry system.