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Travelers traveling between between Honolulu and two of Hawaii's most popular islands, Maui and Kauai can now take the ferry instead of fly.

Ticket sales opened today for the Hawaii Superferry, a new high-speed catamaran the length of a football field that will sail inter-island waters starting in August. Base fares start at $44 for adults, each way, for three-hour trips out of Honolulu to either Maui (daily) or Kauai (every day except Saturday).

For information, call (877) 443-3779 or visit the website, www.hawaiisuperferry.com.

At three hours to travel from Oahu to either Maui or Kauai, even a fast ferry is slow compared with the 30-minute trip time (plus airport waits) by air. One-way ferry prices start at $57.55 per adult ($44 base fare, when bought 14 days ahead online, plus a variable fuel surcharge, currently 30.8% of the base fare), compared with airfares as low as $44.90 each way its a toosup. At least it gives travelers more options.