Hawaii Travel News + Superferry Passengers Vomit

1. Hawaii Superferry. The ship was back in service yesterday with few passengers, and many of those few seasick. Maui News reported high swells, rough seas, and vomiting passengers. Personal reports indicate yesterday’s first day back yielded approximately 45 passengers and 15 cars in each direction. As you’ll recall, capacity is nearly 900 passengers.

2. Orbitz expands offerings:

• Orbitz introduces live destination specialists for Hawaii and other hotspot locations. If someone is available when you’re shopping Orbitz for vacation package bookings, you will be offered a call-back, where you enter your phone number and the specialist places the call.
• Orbitz now lists two brands I hadn’t noticed before: ratestogo.com, and hotelclub.com. The wave of non-transparent travel industry consolidation that we’ve been discussing continues.

3. Honolulu-Kahalui air traffic. The route is ranked by OAG (Official Airline Guide) as the #1 heaviest traffic air corridor in the U.S. (#9 world-wide). Also in the U.S., Honolulu-Lihue ranks #7.

4. Inter-island airfares. These remain unchanged ($49/minimum). Hawaiian and Go! have yet to figure out how to work their new duopoly and successfully raise fares without re-engaging in yet another self-destructive fare war.