USNS Puerto Rico ( HST - 2 ) The USNS Puerto Rico " ( HST - 2 ) , ( standing for High - Speed Transport ) , formerly named the Alakai " is a vessel currently owned by the U . S . Maritime Administration . It was originally the Hawaii Superferry ' s first high - speed ferry . In the Hawaiian language , " alakai " means " sea path . " It should not be confused with the similar word " alakai " , which means " leader . " The design of the is 70 percent in common with the Hawaii Superferries , both built by Austal USA . Vessel . " Alakai " is a long high - speed roll - on / roll - off ( Ro / Ro ) passenger and vehicle ferry formerly operated by Hawaii Superferry . It used to operate a daily service at a speed of between the islands of Oahu and Maui . Alakai has a capacity of 866 passengers and up to 282 subcompact cars . Alternately , its vehicle decks can be reconfigured in 5 minutes to carry up to 20 large trucks and 90 cars . Like its sister ship , the vessel features environmentally friendly technologies including non - toxic bottom paint , zero wastewater discharge and clean diesel engines . Hawaii Superferry ’ s vessels are designed and built by Austal USA , a subsidiary of Austal , an Australian company that is the world ' s largest builder of fast ferries . Construction on the " Alakai " began in June 2004 in Mobile , Alabama . The ship was launched in January 2007 , christened in April 2007 and sea trials went smoothly . Starting Service . The " Alakai " arrived in Honolulu on June 30 , 2007 with a celebration , after a smooth 17 day delivery voyage . The ship ' s maiden voyage was on August 26 , 2007 and the trip to Maui was smooth . The voyage to Kauai was rougher and the " Alakai " was met by about a dozen protestors on surfboards blockading the entrance to Nawiliwili Harbor . The protestors were peacefully cleared by the Coast Guard . 2008 Dry Dock . On February 13 , 2008 the " Alakai " went into dry dock to make repairs to its auxiliary rudders that were damaged in late January . The dry docking was extended due to hull damage caused when a tugboat moving the " Alakai " into dry dock lost power . " Alakai " returned to service in early April 2008 shortly after Aloha Airlines ended service . Before resuming service the ship went through sea trials and was re - certified by the Coast Guard . 2009 Shut Down . On March 17 , 2009 after about 11 months in service , the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the legislation permitting " Alakai " to operate without an environmental review was unconstitutional . Hawaii Superferry made one last round trip to allow an orderly return of passengers who are not on their home island . They canceled existing reservations and did not take new reservations . The Superferry company intended to look for other work for the " Alakai " ; it had also left open the possibility of bringing the ferry back into service if and when Hawaii completed an environmental review , but the company decided to abandon the vessel ending all possibilities of returning to Hawaii . Navy Acquisition and Name Change . On January 27 , 2012 , The U . S . Department of Transportation ’ s Maritime Administration has transferred two high speed vessels , the " Huakai " and the " Alakai " , to the U . S . Navy . The Navy plans to use the vessels to transport troops and equipment to training areas from Okinawa and other locations . These vessels will help the Navy meet these unique operational requirements without the need to build new vessels . Powered by waterjet engines , the catamarans can each carry 288 cars and 866 passengers . In May 2012 , The Navy has announced that both " Alakai " and " Huakai " have been renamed . The " Alakai " is now USNS " Puerto Rico " and the " Huakai " is now . " Guam " is being modified and will replace the chartered " Westpac Express " in Okinawa in March 2013 . " Puerto Rico " will remain laid up until they work out what to use her for . On 19 August 2012 , USNS " Puerto Rico " was towed from Norfolk to Philadelphia , presumably for modification .