The Hawaii Superferry just can't seem to catch a break.

The Dec. 1 relaunch of the Superferry was pushed back yesterday to Dec. 6.

Damage caused by a storm swell to the state's barge at Kahului Harbor, where the ferry is to dock, has forced officials to delay the relaunch by five days.

The high-speed ferry operated for just two days in August before a Maui judge's ruling and protests in Kaua'i halted the service over concerns about the potential environmental impact. The Legislature passed a law, which Gov. Linda Lingle signed this month, allowing the ferry to resume operations.

The Superferry set Dec. 1 as its relaunch date for service to Maui and began selling special $29 one-way tickets on Nov. 18.

Superferry officials wouldn't say how many customers purchased tickets for travel between Dec. 1 and Dec. 5. But the company said affected passengers will receive refunds or will be rebooked for travel on or after Dec. 6.

"Although we are excited and looking forward to resuming service between Maui and O'ahu, we appreciate the efforts of the (Department of Transportation) and others to ensure the readiness of our port facilities," said John Garibaldi, Hawaii Superferry's president and chief executive officer.

Recent storm swells have caused damage to the DOT's barge at Kahului Harbor, which is used to load and unload cars on the Superferry's 350-foot ship, the Alakai.

Earlier this month, a mooring chain designed to hold the barge in place sheared a mooring post from the pier, creating a gap between the barge and pier.

Ocean swells caused the barge to bump against the pier, denting the barge and damaging fenders.

The weather-related delay comes after the ferry overcame legal challenges that had stopped the interisland service for three months.

Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza issued a restraining order, halting the ferry service to Kahului, after the state Supreme Court ruled that the state should have conducted an environmental assessment on the impacts of the ferry service.

The Superferry also halted its Kaua'i service in August after dozens of protesters on surfboards and in kayaks attempted to halt the ferry's passage into Nawiliwili Harbor.

State lawmakers eventually passed a law allowing the ferry to sail while the state conducts an environmental review.

Service to Kaua'i remains on hold while company officials work to address community opposition.

The ferry, capable of carrying 866 passengers and 282 cars, is set to sail daily at 6:30 a.m. from Honolulu to Kahului starting Dec. 6.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.