KAHULUI, Hawai'i — Large northeast swells wreaked havoc on vessels at Kahului Harbor yesterday and persuaded the Hawaii Superferry to postpone today's planned voyage to Maui to provide crew training and realign a barge used for vehicle loading and unloading.

The Superferry will try to complete the run tomorrow afternoon and is still planning to resume regular commercial service between Honolulu and Kahului on Thursday, said company spokeswoman Lori Abe.

Waves with 20- to 30-foot faces slammed against the breakwaters at the entrance to the busy port, while swells estimated at up to 70 feet broke on outside reefs along the adjoining coastline.

The wave action inside the harbor caused lines securing NCL's Pride of America cruise ship at Pier 1 to snap, forcing the vessel to cut short its Maui port call and seek safety in the open ocean.

At Pier 2, the state-owned barge used by Hawaii Superferry lost several of its lines for the third time in recent weeks. Two bollards to which lines were attached were uprooted from the pier and will have to be replaced, according to Michael Formby, head of the Department of Transportation's Harbors Division.

Both the cruise ship and the ferry barge were secured by additional lines and at no time did they break free from their berths, Formby said.

The barge is normally tied up at the end of Pier 2 but was moved to a more sheltered area alongside the pier after it broke several lines Nov. 14 because of wave action.

BUSINESS AFFECTED

Although today's visit was postponed, Terry O'Halloran, director of business development for Hawaii Superferry, said in an e-mail that harbor conditions yesterday would not have prevented the 350-foot catamaran from making a regularly scheduled commercial run to the Maui harbor.

The swells did prove too risky for Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines' 579-foot Jean Anne, which left the harbor about 11:30 a.m. yesterday without unloading its shipment of vehicles.

A Young Brothers interisland barge was able to unload and load before leaving Kahului.

Formby said the Pride of America lost multiple lines and used its thrusters to maintain its position alongside the pier. The cruise ship sailed into the harbor yesterday morning and was supposed to stay overnight, but officials decided it would be prudent for the vessel to leave last night instead, he said.

NCL officials could not be reached yesterday to comment.

Formby said two tug boats were keeping the ferry barge under control until conditions ease. He said there was no additional damage to the barge, which was dented during the Nov. 14 incident.

Lt. John Titchen of the U.S. Coast Guard said the federal agency will be "keeping a close eye" on state and Superferry actions to move and realign the barge. The Coast Guard has the ultimate say-so on whether ferry operations at Kahului Harbor can be conducted safely, he said.

All the excitement at the commercial side of the port went largely unnoticed by the 80 or so surfers and bodyboarders who were enjoying waves on the opposite side of the harbor around 11 a.m. yesterday.

Come Thursday, no one will be allowed in the harbor at that time. The Coast Guard, in coordination with state and county officials, established security zones that will be in effect an hour before Hawaii Superferry arrives at 10:15 a.m. until 10 minutes after its departure at 11:15 a.m. during regular commercial service.

A fixed security zone bars anyone from being in the water, except for a stretch along the beach fronting two canoe clubs and hotels. A moving 100-yard security zone will follow the Alakai when it is on the move or docked.

During tomorrow's visit for crew training and barge work, only the 100-yard security zone will be in effect, Titchen said. When the ferry makes its commercial run on Thursday, both zones will be in effect.

SURFERS RESTRICTED

Surfers and bodyboarders interviewed yesterday by The Advertiser said they were angered by the closing of the harbor for ferry operations.

Jason Runyon, 35, of Wailuku, said talk of the security policy was the buzz on the water yesterday and that the restrictions are "making it worse for the Superferry."

"People are pretty upset that they won't be able to surf. It's the only place on this side where you can go out."

He wondered why the surf breaks couldn't be left out of the security zone because they are opposite from where the ferry will be docking. "Let the people surf," Runyon said.

Titchen said the zone was established to created a "seamless" enforcement area in which any protesters could be quickly intercepted. Authorities will be evaluating the zone and perhaps loosen the restrictions as conditions permit, he said.

"I think people will fight against that," said Kahului resident Moke Lani, 19, of the fixed zone. "People like to surf and this is one of the meanest spots in town."

Another Kahului resident, Mike Stills, 19, said, "Some people just like surf. For some people it's the only thing that makes them feel good. It's like they're taking away the joy of where we live."

Like many others who were at the harbor yesterday, Victor Victorino said he is more concerned about access to the ocean than the Superferry controversy.

"We're just here to surf. We don't care about no Superferry," said the 47-year-old Pa'ia resident.

Also in Kahului Harbor yesterday was the Coast Guard's 225-foot buoy tender, Walnut, which delivered smaller rigid-hull inflatable boats to be used to enforce the security zones.

Titchen said the Coast Guard will have a more visible presence at Kahului Harbor this week as it prepares for the Superferry's arrival. He said he spent three days on Maui talking to those who will be affected by the security zones.

"One thing I noticed is that everybody recognizes the Coast Guard is in a difficult position, and we hope people will show the same kind of aloha they have shown us in the past," he said.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.