Anyone who searches for a ferry between Hawaiian islands gets an answer most mainland travelers don’t expect. No general passenger or car ferry connects Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island. A household based in Honolulu that wants four days on Maui flies, usually on a 35- to 40-minute hop, or books a week-long cruise. Driving a car onto a boat and sailing across is not an option.
The only scheduled exception is a short passenger crossing between Maui and Lanai run by Expeditions. Two larger attempts, the Hawaii Superferry and the Molokai Princess, shut down in 2009 and 2016. What remains is a patchwork: interisland airlines, one cruise loop, and a freight barge system that will carry a car but not its owner.
This article covers why the ocean between the islands has defeated ferry service, what the Lanai boat costs and where it now departs after the Lahaina fire, and how each alternative compares on price and time. It closes with a method for budgeting a two-island trip that has no ferry in it at all.
The short answer: no ferry on almost every route
As of October 2026, no vessel carries passengers on a schedule between Oahu and any neighbor island. The same is true for Maui to Hawaii Island, Maui to Kauai, Oahu to Kauai and Maui to Molokai. Travelers moving between those pairs fly. The two exceptions are the Expeditions ferry to Lanai and the Pride of America cruise, which is a vacation product rather than transportation.
The table below shows each common island pair, whether a boat exists, and what travelers use instead. Flight fares are typical advance-purchase economy ranges. Holiday weeks and same-week bookings push them higher.
| Route | Ferry available? | Fastest option | Typical travel time | Typical one-way fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu to Maui | No | Flight HNL to OGG | 35–40 minutes | $49–$150 |
| Oahu to Hawaii Island | No | Flight HNL to KOA or ITO | 45–55 minutes | $49–$160 |
| Oahu to Kauai | No | Flight HNL to LIH | 35–40 minutes | $49–$150 |
| Maui to Hawaii Island | No | Flight OGG to KOA or ITO | 35–45 minutes | $69–$170 |
| Maui to Lanai | Yes | Expeditions ferry | About 60–75 minutes | About $30–$45 adult |
| Maui to Molokai | No (since 2016) | Small-plane flight OGG to MKK | 25–30 minutes | $70–$130 |
| Oahu to Lanai | No | Flight HNL to LNY | 25–35 minutes | $80–$150 |
Airline-by-airline detail, including bag fees and the best booking windows, is in the site’s breakdown of Hawaii interisland flights and fares. The rest of this article explains how the state ended up this way and what each workaround costs.
Why the islands never built a ferry network
Washington State, British Columbia and Alaska all run large public ferry systems, so mainland visitors often assume Hawaii simply hasn’t gotten around to it. The reasons go deeper than politics. Geography, competition from airlines and environmental law all work against a ferry here.
The channels are open ocean
The waters between the main islands are not sheltered sounds. The Kaiwi Channel between Oahu and Molokai runs about 26 miles and is known for strong currents. The Alenuihaha Channel between Maui and Hawaii Island covers roughly 30 miles of open water, with trade winds funneling between Haleakala and Mauna Kea, two volcanoes more than 10,000 feet tall.
The Kauai Channel separating Oahu from Kauai spans about 72 miles. Winter north swells, combined with steady 15- to 25-knot trades, produce seas that make a three-hour crossing miserable for many passengers. Running year-round means buying a large, fast and expensive vessel, then spreading that cost across fares.
Airlines got there first
Interisland air service dates to 1929, and it competes on frequency. Honolulu to Kahului is roughly 100 miles by sea but a 35-minute flight, with dozens of daily departures. A conventional ferry needs about three hours for the same trip, so its only real advantage is carrying a car. Time-sensitive travelers have little reason to switch.
Harbors, permits and environmental review
Commercial harbors are managed by the Harbors Division of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. A new ferry has to compete for berth space with cargo, fuel and cruise traffic. It also has to clear environmental review under Chapter 343 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Superferry’s collapse made that last requirement the obstacle everyone now remembers.
What happened to the Hawaii Superferry
Hawaii Superferry began service in August 2007 with the Alakai, a 350-foot aluminum catamaran built in Mobile, Alabama. It carried roughly 866 passengers and 282 vehicles and crossed from Honolulu to Kahului in about three hours. A second ship, the Huakai, was under construction for a planned route to Kawaihae on Hawaii Island.
The state had exempted the harbor improvements for the ferry from an environmental assessment. In August 2007, days before launch, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the state should have required one. Opponents raised whale strikes in the humpback sanctuary, invasive species riding in vehicles, and extra pressure on neighbor-island beaches and fishing grounds.
The Kauai protests and Act 2
On Kauai, protesters, including surfers who paddled into the path of the ship, blocked the Alakai from entering Nawiliwili Harbor in late August 2007. Service to Kauai never resumed. In October 2007, the legislature held a special session and passed Act 2, which let the ferry operate while a full environmental impact statement was prepared.
The 2009 ruling and shutdown
On March 16, 2009, the Hawaii Supreme Court held that Act 2 was unconstitutional special legislation, written to benefit a single company. The Superferry stopped sailing within days and filed for bankruptcy in May 2009. The federal government later acquired both ships. The Alakai went on to serve in the Navy’s fleet as the USNS Puerto Rico, and the Huakai became the USNS Guam.
| Superferry detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| First commercial sailing | August 2007 |
| Final sailing | March 2009 |
| Vessel length (Alakai) | 350 feet |
| Passenger capacity | About 866 |
| Vehicle capacity | About 282 cars |
| Honolulu to Kahului crossing | About 3 hours |
| Typical one-way passenger fare | About $39–$69 |
| Typical one-way vehicle fare | About $55–$70 |
| Months in operation | About 19 |
The idea comes back every few years. Coverage in Honolulu Civil Beat and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has followed legislative studies of a state-run ferry. None has produced a funded vessel, a harbor plan or a schedule, so travelers planning 2026 or 2027 trips should assume no interisland car ferry exists.
The Molokai Princess and the end of Maui–Molokai service
For years, the Molokai Princess linked Lahaina Harbor with Kaunakakai on Molokai. The roughly 100-foot vessel made the crossing of the Pailolo Channel in about 90 minutes, usually twice a day in each direction. Many riders were Molokai residents commuting to hotel and service jobs in West Maui, alongside day-trippers visiting Molokai’s quiet main town.
The Pailolo Channel is only about 9 miles wide at its narrowest, but it is notoriously choppy, and the boat earned a reputation for rough rides. Adult one-way fares ran roughly $60 to $70. The operator cited low ridership and rising costs when the service ended in 2016, and no replacement has emerged.
Molokai is now reachable only by air, mainly on small-plane carriers from Kahului and Honolulu. Ground options on arrival are thin, with a handful of rental cars and no rideshare network to speak of. The site’s guide to getting to Molokai and Lanai covers flights, lodging and what each island offers.
The one ferry still running: Expeditions, Maui to Lanai
Expeditions has carried passengers across the Auau Channel to Lanai for decades. It is the only scheduled passenger ferry between any two Hawaiian islands. The route works where others failed because the channel sits in the lee of the West Maui Mountains and Molokai, which block much of the trade-wind swell, and the crossing is short.
Where it departs after the Lahaina fire
Before August 8, 2023, every sailing left Lahaina Small Boat Harbor at the foot of Front Street. The wildfire heavily damaged the harbor, and Expeditions moved its Maui terminal to Maalaea Harbor on the island’s central south shore. Boats still land at Manele Small Boat Harbor on Lanai’s south coast, next to Hulopoe Bay.
The state has been reopening Lahaina Harbor in phases for commercial operators. Travelers should check the Expeditions booking page before every trip to see which Maui harbor their sailing uses. The difference matters: Maalaea is about 25 minutes from Kihei and roughly 35 minutes from Kaanapali, and the boat ride from there is noticeably longer.
For the state of West Maui more broadly, including which businesses and beaches have reopened, see the site’s guides to visiting Maui after the Lahaina fire and the detailed Expeditions schedule and return loop.
Schedule, crossing time and fares
The ferry runs daily, with sailings spread from early morning to early evening. Earlier timetables offered four round trips a day. Since the move to Maalaea, frequency has been adjusted, so the exact departure times should be confirmed at booking. The pattern that matters most to day-trippers hasn’t changed: an early departure from Maui and an early-evening last boat back.
| Item | From Lahaina (pre-fire) | From Maalaea (post-fire) |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate sea distance to Manele | About 16 miles | About 24 miles |
| Typical crossing time | About 45 minutes | About 60–75 minutes |
| Adult one-way fare | $30 | Roughly $30–$45; confirm at booking |
| Child one-way fare | $20 | Roughly $20–$35; confirm at booking |
| Check-in before departure | 30 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Drive from Kihei | About 50 minutes | About 25 minutes |
| Drive from Kaanapali | About 10 minutes | About 35 minutes |
Fares are sold per direction, so a day trip means two tickets. Bicycles, surfboards and extra luggage carry separate fees. Peak demand runs from December through April, when humpback whales crowd the Auau Channel and morning sailings fill weeks out. Walk-up seats are possible in late summer and fall, but not guaranteed.
What a Lanai day trip looks like
From Manele Harbor, Hulopoe Bay is a walk of roughly 0.3 miles on a paved path. It is a Marine Life Conservation District with clear water and resident spinner dolphins. Lanai City sits about 8 miles inland. Reaching the Garden of the Gods or Shipwreck Beach requires a four-wheel-drive rental, typically $180 to $220 a day.
The last boat is the hard constraint. Missing it means an unplanned night on an island with three hotels. Hotel Lanai typically runs $250 to $400 a night, while the two resorts often exceed $1,200. Planners commonly build a two-hour buffer before the final departure and return any rental jeep well ahead of it.
Ferry versus flying to Lanai
Small-plane service from Kahului to Lanai Airport takes about 25 minutes in the air. One-way fares usually run $75 to $130, roughly three times the ferry. The airport sits inland, about 20 minutes from Manele by shuttle. For a beach-focused day, the ferry drops passengers closer to the snorkeling and costs far less for families.
Alternative 1: interisland flights
For every route except Maui to Lanai, flying is the default, and usually the cheapest door-to-door option. Three groups of carriers matter. Hawaiian Airlines, part of Alaska Air Group since September 2024, runs the main jet network. Southwest flies a smaller interisland schedule than at its 2019 peak. Small-plane carriers serve Molokai, Lanai and secondary airports.
What a flight actually costs
Base fares between Honolulu and the big neighbor-island airports frequently start near $49 to $69 one way when booked several weeks ahead. Checked bags add real money. Interisland first-bag fees on the major carriers commonly fall between $25 and $35 each way, which can double the fare for budget tickets.
- Book 3 to 6 weeks ahead for the lowest common fares.
- Midweek departures on Tuesday and Wednesday are often cheapest.
- Arrive 60 to 90 minutes early; TSA screening applies to interisland flights.
- Small-plane carriers enforce strict weight limits, sometimes weighing passengers.
- Maui to Kauai often requires a connection through Honolulu.
Timing a flight inside a trip
The flight itself is short, but an island change typically eats half a day. Returning a rental car, clearing security, flying, collecting bags and picking up a second car usually adds up to 4 to 5 hours from hotel checkout to the next check-in. Most itineraries budget a morning or afternoon for each island switch.
Alternative 2: NCL Pride of America
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the only large cruise ship sailing a year-round interisland loop. Because it is U.S.-flagged, federal cabotage law lets it sail between U.S. ports without a foreign stop. Foreign-flagged ships must call at a foreign port such as Ensenada, which is why most other Hawaii cruises start on the West Coast.
Itinerary and pricing
The ship sails a 7-night round trip from Honolulu, typically departing Saturdays. Ports include Kahului on Maui with an overnight, Hilo, Kona and Nawiliwili on Kauai, also with an overnight. It carries about 2,186 guests at double occupancy. Inside cabins often price around $1,300 to $2,000 per person, before port fees and daily service charges.
| Cost element | Typical range (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inside cabin, 7 nights | $1,300–$2,000 | Lowest in fall shoulder months |
| Balcony cabin, 7 nights | $2,200–$3,500 | Higher over winter holidays |
| Taxes and port fees | $200–$300 | Added at checkout |
| Daily service charge | About $20–$25 per day | About $140–$175 per week |
| Shore excursions | $90–$300 each | Helicopter tours run higher |
Hawaii also extended its transient accommodations tax to cruise ships beginning in July 2026, apportioned by days in Hawaii ports, so recent quotes may include a new line item. Current rules are posted by the Hawaii Department of Taxation.
Why it is not a ferry
The cruise doesn’t sell one-way segments, carries no cars, and keeps a fixed schedule with roughly 8 to 12 hours ashore at most stops. It suits travelers who want four islands without packing and unpacking. It doesn’t suit anyone trying to get from Oahu to Maui cheaply. Cabin and excursion details are in the site’s Pride of America cruise guide.
Alternative 3: Young Brothers barges for vehicles
The closest thing to a car ferry is the freight system. Young Brothers operates tug-and-barge service regulated by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, linking Honolulu with Kahului, Hilo, Kawaihae, Nawiliwili, Kaunakakai on Molokai and Kaumalapau on Lanai. It carries cars, trucks, household goods and commercial freight. It doesn’t carry people.
How shipping a car between islands works
- Book a sailing and get a quote by vehicle size and destination port.
- Drop the car at the origin terminal, usually 1 to 2 days before sailing.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel and remove personal belongings.
- Fly to the destination island separately.
- Collect the car at the destination terminal, often the day after arrival.
Major routes such as Honolulu to Kahului or Hilo sail several times a week. Molokai and Lanai see less frequent service. End to end, a vehicle is typically out of its owner’s hands for 3 to 7 days. Published tariffs for a standard sedan between Honolulu and a major neighbor-island port have generally fallen in the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars each way.
Mainland shipping for relocating households
Households moving from the mainland deal with a different set of carriers. Matson and Pasha Hawaii ship vehicles from West Coast ports to Honolulu, and some sailings reach neighbor-island ports directly. Sedan rates from California commonly run $1,500 to $2,500. Transit to Honolulu usually takes about 5 to 7 days.
| Vehicle option | Typical cost | Time without a car | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Brothers, Oahu to Maui sedan | Low-to-mid hundreds each way | 3–7 days | Residents moving islands |
| Rental car on arrival, 7 days | $420–$840 | None | Visitors on any trip |
| Mainland to Honolulu, sedan | $1,500–$2,500 | 5–7 days transit plus port time | Relocating households |
| Sell on mainland, buy in Hawaii | Varies; used-car prices run high | Days to weeks | Older or low-value cars |
For a visitor, barging a personal car makes almost no sense. For a resident moving from Honolulu to Maui with a paid-off vehicle, it often beats selling and rebuying. Island car prices, rentals included, tend to sit well above mainland levels.
Rental cars take the place of a car deck
Since visitors can’t drive their car onto a boat, almost every two-island trip involves two separate rentals. Hawaii rental agencies don’t allow one-way drop-offs between islands, so each island gets its own contract, its own airport pickup and its own set of taxes and surcharges.
Daily rates commonly range from about $55 to $120 for a midsize car, with Maui and Kauai often pricier than Oahu in peak months. A state rental vehicle surcharge of about $5 per day applies on top, along with general excise tax and airport concession fees. Rates by island and season are tracked in the site’s Hawaii rental car price guide.
Fuel adds up too. Hawaii consistently ranks among the most expensive states for gasoline, frequently running $1.00 to $1.50 per gallon above the national average, according to EIA gasoline price data. A Maui week that includes the Road to Hana and a Haleakala summit drive can easily burn 25 to 30 gallons.
How to price a two-island trip without a ferry
A two-island itinerary costs more than a single-island stay because of the switch itself: one extra flight, one extra rental, and lost time. Totaling those switching costs separately from lodging and food shows whether the second island is worth it.
A step-by-step pricing method
- Price the interisland flight for every traveler, including checked bags both directions.
- Price two rental contracts, one per island, with taxes and surcharges.
- Add lodging taxes of roughly 18 to 19 percent to every nightly rate.
- Add airport parking, transfers or rideshare on the switch day.
- Count the switch day as a half-day lost to sightseeing.
Lodging taxes matter more than many travelers expect. Starting January 1, 2026, the state transient accommodations tax rose to 11 percent. With the 3 percent county tax and general excise tax of about 4.5 to 4.7 percent, combined charges land near 18.5 percent. Maui condo supply is shifting under county rules, as covered in the guide to Maui vacation rentals after Bill 9.
Sample budget: Oahu and Maui, 10 nights, two adults
| Line item | Single island (Oahu only) | Two islands (5 Oahu, 5 Maui) |
|---|---|---|
| Interisland flight, 2 travelers | $0 | $140–$260 |
| Checked bags, 2 bags | $0 | $50–$70 |
| Rental car | $600–$1,000 (10 days) | $650–$1,150 (two 5-day contracts) |
| Lodging, 10 nights, before tax | $2,500 | $2,800 (Maui runs higher) |
| Lodging tax at about 18.5% | $463 | $518 |
| Switch-day transfers and parking | $0 | $30–$60 |
| Estimated extra cost of second island | Baseline | About $600–$1,100 more |
For most couples, adding a second island costs somewhere between $600 and $1,100 over a single-island stay of the same length. Compare that with a Pride of America week for two, which usually lands between $3,000 and $5,000 before excursions. Full trip budgets, including mainland airfare and food, are in the site’s breakdown of how much a Hawaii trip costs.
Making the switch work
Two-island trips work best with at least 4 nights per island, so the switch day doesn’t take up a large share of the visit. Common pairings are Oahu with Maui, or Oahu with Kauai, since both have frequent nonstop flights from Honolulu. The two-island Hawaii itinerary lays out day-by-day versions of each pairing.
- Book the interisland flight midmorning to avoid a predawn checkout.
- Return the first rental with a full tank to avoid refueling charges.
- Pack a carry-on with swimwear in case the second room isn’t ready.
- Add the Lanai ferry as a day trip from Maui, not a third base.
What the missing ferry means for people moving to Hawaii
For residents, the lack of a ferry shapes daily life more than it shapes vacations. Choosing an island is a bigger commitment than choosing a city on the mainland. Visiting family on another island, attending a specialist appointment in Honolulu or moving a car means a flight or a barge booking, not a drive.
Specialized medical care is concentrated on Oahu, home to about 1 million of the state’s roughly 1.4 million residents, according to Census QuickFacts. Neighbor-island residents often fly to Honolulu for procedures. Public health resources and provider information by county are available from the Hawaii Department of Health.
Shipping also affects prices. Nearly everything arrives by container through Honolulu, then moves to neighbor islands by barge, which adds handling costs. Price levels in the Honolulu metro area are tracked by the BLS Honolulu consumer price index. Neighbor-island households typically pay more again, as the cost of living on Maui analysis shows.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ferry between Oahu and Maui?
No. No passenger or car ferry has run between Oahu and Maui since the Hawaii Superferry stopped sailing in March 2009. Travelers fly from Honolulu to Kahului, a 35- to 40-minute flight with fares often starting around $49 to $69 one way. Vehicles can be shipped by Young Brothers barge, but owners must fly separately.
Why did the Hawaii Superferry shut down?
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled in March 2009 that Act 2, the 2007 law that let the Superferry operate without a completed environmental impact statement, was unconstitutional special legislation. Without that law, the ship could not legally keep sailing. The company halted service within days and filed for bankruptcy in May 2009.
Where does the Lanai ferry leave from now?
After the August 2023 fire damaged Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, Expeditions moved its Maui departures to Maalaea Harbor on the central south shore. Boats land at Manele Harbor on Lanai. Because Lahaina Harbor has been reopening in phases, travelers should confirm the departure harbor on the Expeditions booking page before each trip.
Can a car be taken from one Hawaiian island to another?
Yes, but not on a passenger boat. Young Brothers carries vehicles by tug and barge between Honolulu and the major neighbor-island ports, including Kahului, Hilo, Kawaihae and Nawiliwili. Owners drop the car at the terminal, fly separately and pick it up after arrival. The full process usually takes 3 to 7 days.
Is there still a ferry to Molokai?
No. The Molokai Princess, which crossed between Lahaina and Kaunakakai in about 90 minutes, ended service in 2016, citing low ridership and rising costs. Molokai is now reachable only by small-plane flights from Kahului and Honolulu, which typically take 25 to 30 minutes and cost roughly $70 to $130 one way.
Is the Pride of America cruise a good substitute for a ferry?
Only for travelers who want a full week touring four islands. The ship sails a fixed 7-night loop from Honolulu, sells no one-way segments and carries no cars. Inside cabins often start around $1,300 to $2,000 per person before fees, which is far above the cost of a single interisland flight.
How much extra does a second island add to a Hawaii trip?
For two adults splitting 10 nights between Oahu and Maui, the switch usually adds about $600 to $1,100. That covers interisland flights, checked bags, a second rental contract, higher Maui lodging rates and switch-day transfers. Travelers should also budget a half-day of sightseeing lost to checkout, airports and car pickup.
