This next-generation proposed form of Hawaii travel just reached open-water testing—not a simulation or rendering, but an actual prototype in motion. REGENT’s passenger-carrying electric seaglider, backed by airline partners including Hawaiian/Alaska, Southwest, United, and other major stakeholders, is now undergoing actual vehicle sea trials aimed squarely at Hawaii service. This marks a turning point in an effort many of our readers have followed closely—and debated intensely.
Unlike other tech ideas pitched in Hawaii, including Boom SST, this one has real traction. The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative also includes backing from the state. It’s aimed specifically at solving interisland travel challenges—a goal readers like Eva B. have long championed. She would “love to glide from Maui to Molokai” and hopes the sea glider will avoid the problems she experienced with older ferries.
What this means for Hawaii visitors and residents.
For visitors, seagliders promise a less stressful, more scenic, and potentially eco-conscious way to hop between islands. There are no TSA lines or runway delays—just shoreline-to-shoreline simplicity.
For Hawaii residents, the potential goes deeper: easier access to family, services, and jobs on neighboring islands, plus a quieter, all-electric alternative to decades-old interisland aircraft.
But one of the major questions remaining is how it all will connect. Operating from ports rather than airports means ground transportation, baggage handling, and transfers must be rethought or built from scratch. Without seamless integration, time savings and convenience could be lost before or after the glide.
With speeds up to 180 mph and the ability to reach any main island in under an hour, the concept is compelling—but still only part of the equation.
How seagliders move: float, foil, and fly.
Seagliders operate in three distinct modes. They start by floating like a boat, then lift onto hydrofoils as they gain speed, and finally rise into low-level flight just above the water’s surface—supported by the wing-in-ground effect.
The all-electric craft avoids the need for runways, major airport infrastructure, or marine fuel. Instead, they would charge at compact shoreline stations, making them a potentially good fit for Hawaii’s geography and space constraints.
Breakthrough sea trials bring the project closer.
REGENT’s first full-scale, passenger-carrying prototype—the 12-seat Viceroy model—recently began sea trials in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. These tests mark the first time the craft has entered open-water testing, validating real-world performance, control systems, and operational design.
While the testing site is far from Hawaii, the intent remains Hawaii-focused, with REGENT continuing to name the islands as one of its first and most important use cases.
Commercial rollout could come fast.
REGENT is targeting a 2026 launch for its 12-seat Viceroy. Because seagliders fall under maritime—not aviation—regulations, the certification path may be faster than traditional aircraft.
In the meantime, Hawaii could begin seeing shoreline planning, regulatory groundwork, and early infrastructure development. If timelines hold, interisland seaglider travel may be just a few years away.
Global ambitions raise questions—but not red flags.
REGENT’s recent expansion to the UAE sparked concern among some Hawaii readers. Was the focus shifting abroad?
According to the company, no. The Abu Dhabi partnership helps fund broader development, but Hawaii remains a priority. Early support from the state and local partners gives the islands a firm place in the launch queue.
Still, the concern is valid. One reader noted, “If we’re first to support it, I hope we’re first to benefit.” So far, that still appears to be the case.
Big challenges remain—and these matter.
While excitement is building, several major issues could shape—or even reverse—the outcome.
Shoreline access will be needed to launch and land the craft, which is raising environmental and regulatory concerns. Hawaii’s coastlines are treasured and protected, and any development will face the highest scrutiny.
There’s also the cost factor. Early feasibility studies suggested that one-way seaglider tickets between islands like Oahu and Maui or Oahu and Kauai could be as low as $30. That, however, doesn’t seem realistic, and the viability of maintaining such low fares amid operational and infrastructure costs remains uncertain.
Hawaii’s environmental and cultural stakes loom large.
For Hawaii, this isn’t just about a new way to travel—it’s about protecting what makes the islands unique. The idea of an all-electric seaglider is appealing, especially in a state working to cut emissions. But many readers have pointed out that sustainability isn’t just about carbon—it’s also about whales, turtles, dolphins, and seabirds.
Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s waters each winter to breed and give birth, and collisions with watercraft are a known risk. Several readers questioned whether seagliders operating low and fast over the water could avoid breaching whales in time. Peter M., a pilot, warned that “sudden evasive maneuvers will be tricky low and fast,” and said he wanted to see flight test footage “before I climb in.”
Eva B. echoed that sentiment: “My main concern would be during whale season, especially since it mentioned 200 mph.” She added that although the craft is electric, “protecting whales, dolphins, and turtles would still be a priority.”
Others, like Rob L., raised legal and regulatory issues, noting that humpbacks can reach up to 50 feet—possibly above the sea glider’s operating height—and questioned whether Hawaii’s strict marine protection laws would even allow them to operate in sensitive zones.
New shoreline infrastructure poses its own set of challenges. From public access to cultural sites, any coastal development will face scrutiny. And as Pamm put it plainly, “They’ll slash whales, dolphins, anything and everything that gets in the way. I’m a hard No on this idea.”
Seagliders may be electric, but that doesn’t make them impact-free. One of the biggest unanswered questions is whether the project can meet Hawaii’s high environmental and cultural standards.
Why the seaglider has real traction.
Previous efforts to reshape interisland travel—like ferries, hydrofoils, and even small-plane startups—have stumbled over political, environmental, or logistical hurdles. The seaglider project stands apart because it already has support from major airlines, Hawaii-based institutions, and the state itself.
This isn’t a speculative concept hoping to gain interest in Hawaii. It’s a system developed with Hawaii’s geography, infrastructure gaps, and environmental goals in mind from the start.
Looking ahead.
Seagliders are moving from concept to reality, with Hawaii still in focus. But significant questions remain—about cost, infrastructure, safety, and marine life. The answers will determine whether this becomes a breakthrough or fades like past efforts.
Are you excited about the seaglider project? Please share your opinion with us. Mahalo!
Lead Photo is representative of REGENT seaglider in Hawaii. The first sea trial is in Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island).
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I just found this excellent article about the Seaglider and Mahalo nui loa for the link and for mentioning my previous comments. Will continue follow this project and BOH!
We need cetologists to comment on the whale aspect, but my take is that whales are very intelligent mammals and can be educated about avoiding some small, well marked areas. (Presumably seagliders would not be allowed to operate from just any stretch of shoreline, but limited to a few well defined landing/takeoff corridors.)
This should suffice for Viceroy-sized craft. It remains to be seen how much “runway” a Monarch-sized version (100 passengers) will need.
It still beats old-fashioned ferries (whales easily avoid ships, but they cannot avoid the underwater noise these ships generate) and jets (a lot of noise too, as well as major air pollution — and whales breathe air).
How well will it operate in rough conditions? If my memory serves me similar ground effect flying boats like the Caspian Sea-Monster weren’t all that useful in foul weather or rough seas. However time will tell if this can be useful in the islands.
Two big differences/improvements from the old ekranoplans of the USSR: the use of hydrofoils to lift the glider’s hull out of the water prior to takeoff (Regent says their seaplanes will handle 6ft seas on the foils) and modern materials that far stronger weight for weight, thereby allowing long, efficient wings.
The trials will tell us whether that’s sufficient, but I’m optimistic.
This is never going to happen. They can’t even get a traditional boat going back and forth.
This must be a joke? And considering the touchy topic of TSA (no pun), are sea gliders magically exempt from transportation security concerns?
Why not just build an undersea automobile or rail tunnel… it’s not like we’re piloting crazy sea gliders between the UK and France.
Hawaii’s “leadership” needs to unearth their crusty heads from the sand.
Check the depth and width of the Channel and compare with the depths and widths of the undersea valleys between our volcanoes. The scales are just not comparable. Oh, and add frequent earthquakes…
Even if there were technological solutions to these issues, compare the GNP of continental western Europe and of the UK to that of the Hawaiian islands — we’re tiny here, in area, population, resources, commercial activity, etc.
Then look at the Faroe islands for an example. The 18 islands making out the Faroe Islands has 53,000 inhabitants and now 20 tunnels, of which three are long tunnels under the sea. Maui alone has a population triple that.
Hawaii’s best bet for a maritime interisland transportation system was the Super Ferry. Hawaii rejected it. What makes the promoters of this technology think it’s going to fly better than the Super Ferry?
It may “glide” above the water but as a Navy veteran who’s seen all kinds of sea states on a 400 foot destroyer, this little thing will just get tossed all over the water in heavy sea states and high winds. And as one who grew up in Molokai I’ve seen the typical sea states between Molokai, Maui, and Lanai. Even if they charge the same as an airplane ride you won’t see me aboard this glider. I don’t think anyone has done the economic feasibility of operating it. $30 fare won’t cut it.
40 year airframe powerplant Mechanic here, salt water, corrosion, electric moters (lol)Offshore in the north pacific??, someone is going to die, in this contraption, not lol, praying it wont be paying passengers suckered into getting in this crate lets face it hawai ands the only enviroment friendly transportation that will be allowed is a war canoe, so get paddling !!! see no uppercase text now oh my god upper case text im am sooo offended
This is beautiful…waaaaaaay inside Narragansett Bay on a glass-smooth day.
I’m curious how it will go 180 mph at an altitude below that of a container ship without an “air traffic control” system..
This is the 3rd or 4th BOH article regarding this electric airplane. As has been pointed out before, there will be a need for an Environmental Impact Statement because of the state-owned shoreline and harbors. That would include parking lots, car rental facilities, taxi stands, ticketing facilities, etc. All that would have to be discussed, in addition to impacts on marine life.
Until we know what harbors these things would use, it is difficult to say what additional concerns need to be addressed (boats/ships in the harbor, canoe clubs, surfers, etc.)
So far, no effort has been made to initiate the EIS process, and therefore, there is no way that this plane would be able to fly here within the next two to three years.
The Superferry was warned to do an EIS. They refused and it forced them out of business.
I’m a licensed recreational pilot and the first thing I would have to know is what are the wind and sea (wave height) limitations in operating one of these things? How often do conditions in the islands prohibit their operating, especially in winter. If it only operates when the weather is nice, it’s bound to fail. If the price per seat per mile isn’t less than a conventional airline ticket, what’s the point? As far as safety for Whales & Turtles, that’s way down the my safety list as far as I’m concerned.
Heck, I’m afraid of what will happen to that undoubtedly lightweight fuselage if it hits a whale or turtle.
Splat! Goes the seaglider. I wonder if passengers will be required to wear lifejackets the entire flight.
Don’t hold your breath, by the time this thing gets it’s type certificate and can carry paying passengers, 3rd graders will be adults.
The other thing to consider is is that the ground effect they are relying on for this craft is not as effective over bodies of water with varying sea heights, ground effect is most effective over flat land. As others have mentioned, there is also the wildlife considerations (birds, whales, etc.).
I personally don’t see how this would be an effective mode of transportation.
Please do not do this. Haven’t We done enough Damage to the islands, without adding to it.
Please, please, please, protect the islands
Tom & Beth
It’s one thing to rely on a jet fuel engine over the ocean and then another thing to rely on a lithium battery powered airplane over the ocean and strong trade winds. Might be $30 but looks like no time to correct if something goes wrong. IMO I would be afraid of this thing flipping over in the water if the wing ever touched a wave. Sorry not my kind of ride.
I believe they will find that the Seaglider will be restricted to off-whale seasons because it must fly low enough to take advantage of the ground effect, and it won’t fly if waves are above a certain height- because of both possible loss of ground effect, and possible strikes of wave tops by the outriggers. Also, the trade winds will come into play for such a light craft. Bottom line: it will be a hit-or-miss travel option. I wouldn’t be making reservations too soon.
Electric cars have known to catch fire after going into saltwater and then just sitting after days later. I guess it makes the lithium battery unstable chemically and then it bursts. What happens when rechargeable battery electric airplanes fly over evaporating ocean saltwater for endless months. Fishing boats have problems with corrosion and saltwater on metal and electronics also. Batteries,copper wire are prone to oxidization and corrosion as well as solder joints where moisture is present. One might want to ask Do you feel lucky?
Fantastic idea. However I do see the costs being more expensive. But at 30 bucks, how cool would it be to travel to the other islands on a consistent basis.
This technology is certainly beneficial to the people who live in Hawaii but not to the marine life. One death of a marine mammal or seabird is one too many.
Hopefully profits do not win over nature.
I agree, but a significant part of this project is that it will be far more nature-friendly than flying old jets between the islands. Our inter-island flights approach the airports (which are on the coasts) low over the water and generate a lot of noise and air pollution. The seagliders would greatly reduce both forms of pollution.
1. It will be interesting to see it airborne – that tailplane looks on the small side.
2. Do the humpbacks go around the Kahului side of Maui? I’ve never made it to Maui prior to late March when most of them were gone. With the airport near there Wing Beach would be the place for them to land. I really don’t want to imagine what might happen if that bird hit a Honu on landing or takeoff.
I checked out the Faroe Islands — tx for the tip!
The Faroese have done great work, but in very different conditions. The deepest channel separating Faeroese communities is 600ft; the channel between Maui and Hawaii iis 6800ft deep. The longest bridge or tunnel in the Faroe system is around 1.5mi, but the shortest crossing from Maui to Hawaii is 30mi and Kauai is 108mi from Oahu. Both islands complexes are due to volcanism, but volcanism stopped in the Faroe islands around 50 millions yrs ago, whereas Hawaii has several active volcanoes.
As to the Channel Tunnel, it’s long (31mi), but in very shallow water (250ft).
So it’s not really comparable and interisland travel in Hawaii will remain by air and/or sea for the foreseeable future.
It’s a great idea. I’d love to be able to get between islands without spending 1.5 hours in airports for a 35 minute flight, but the Achille’s heel is mentioned in the article. Shoreline planning and permitting. Whether it is a staff shortage at DLNR-OCCL, politics before science, emotion over evidence, I don’t see this happening without the correct palms being greased. Sad but true here.