Rough seas and winds resulting from the passage of Tropical Depression Cosme near the Big Island were cited as the reason for postponing the maiden arrival of the new 340-foot Hawaii Superferry in Kahului on a passage from Honolulu. Fellow Hawaii blogger (and serious sailor) Doug White raises some interesting questions about this, namely, that small craft advisory conditions like those cited as the reason for postponement often endure for weeks on end around Hawaii when huge winter surf and / or howling tradewinds blow through the islands. Perhaps the cancellation was just a cautious reaction to a boat still getting its keel whetted in Hawaii. But the postponement does seem to contradict past assurances that the new duo of catamarans (ostensibly designed with the ancient Hawaiian double-hulled ocean-going sailing vessels in mind) could handle the extreme ocean conditions in Hawaii with aplomb and verve. Or maybe making a bunch of journos seasick did not seem like a good PR oppy. ;)

—Alex, 07/23/07