Why did the Hawaii Super Ferry fail to establish a successful inter-island ferry service?

The Hawaii Super Ferry faced numerous obstacles that led to its failure. Despite initial court approval to operate while preparing an environmental impact statement, the company was overwhelmed by environmental lawsuits that significantly increased litigation costs, making it financially unsustainable. Additionally, Hawaii's geography presented major challenges. Unlike ferry routes in Alaska and Washington State that operate in relatively shallow, calm waters near continental shelves, Hawaiian waters are notoriously rough because the islands are volcanic in origin—essentially mountain tips rising miles from the deep seafloor. These geographical conditions created rough waters that were unsuitable for sustainable ferry operations.