Former Kauaian Terry O’Halloran, who ran a South Shore dive shop when there were only a few down there, has been named director of public affairs for Hawaii Superferry, company officials said in a press release. Hawaii Superferry leaders will
Former Kauaian Terry O’Halloran, who ran a South Shore dive shop when there were only a few down there, has been named director of public affairs for Hawaii Superferry, company officials said in a press release.
Hawaii Superferry leaders will begin providing interisland ferry service in 2007.
In his new role, O’Halloran will be responsible for community outreach, public and government relations, and communications activities for the company.
O’Halloran will also be a member of the company’s launch team, which is responsible for the initial planning of Hawaii Superferry’s operations prior to service commencing in 2007.
O’Halloran will assume his new post on April 1, and has nearly 30 years of managerial and executive experience in tourism and product development in Hawai‘i.
He also has more than 25 years of experience working on behalf of various organizations with representatives of federal, state and county governments on tourism and ocean policy, user-conflict resolution, and ocean safety, legislative and administrative matters.
Prior to joining Hawaii Superferry, O’Halloran founded and then ran Tourism Business Solutions, LLC, a local management-consulting firm whose associates assisted clients engaged in tourism, with special emphasis on ocean tourism.
While at Atlantis Adventures from 1990 to 2002, O’Halloran was a vice president responsible for business and project development, public affairs and special projects.
O’Halloran also serves as chairman of the Hawaiian Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Committee, and is a director and day-use mooring project manager of Malama Kai Foundation.
He is also a member of the Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee, and a member of the steering committee for Hawai‘i’s Local Action Strategy to Address Recreation Impacts to Reefs for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.
Hawaii Superferry leaders plan to bring the first state-of-the-art, roll-on/roll-off, inter-island ferry into operation in 2007.
For about half the price of flying, it will provide high-speed service for passengers, cars, trucks and buses between Honolulu and the islands of Maui and Kaua‘i in three hours.
A second vessel will extend service to the Big Island in 2009.
Hawaii Superferry’s environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, “semi-SWATH” catamarans meet or exceed government standards for protecting the islands and the ocean.
Company leaders are investing more than $200 million in the operation, and expect to employ about 300 people when both vessels are in operation.
Over the past two years, Hawaii Superferry officials have received major private funding from leaders at J.F. Lehman & Company, as well as from other Hawai‘i, Mainland and international sources, bringing significant investment into Hawai‘i for a service primarily benefiting local residents
