The 350-foot-long vessel that is expected to kick off Hawaii Superferry service between O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands in July was christened yesterday in Mobile, Ala., where it was built.

It was named Alakai, which means "ocean path."

"It's seen as a name deep in Hawaiian tradition," said John Garibaldi, Superferry president and chief executive officer.

The christening initiates the process of getting the vessel to the Islands. Garibaldi said the company is now working to hire a crew.

By late May, the Alakai is scheduled to leave Mobile for the two-week trip to Honolulu Harbor.

About 150 people attended the christening yesterday, including several former Hawai'i residents, representatives from Hawaii Superferry and officials from the vessel's maker, Austal. The shipbuilder, which constructs commercial and defense vehicles, bases its U.S. operations in Mobile.

Last week, the company conducted seaworthiness tests of the Alakai and found no problems, Superferry officials said.

It is one of two vessels Hawaii Superferry will eventually have in Hawai'i waters. The second, which is still under construction, will start service to the Big Island in 2009.

Both will hold about 900 passengers and 250 cars.

Hawaii Superferry has already started advertising its upcoming service to Maui and Kaua'i, and Garibaldi said its offices have been swamped with calls from people wanting tickets. The company will start taking reservations in May.

"We've had a lot of inquiries," Garibaldi said yesterday by phone from Mobile. "People want to book right now."

Alakai will go to and from Kaua'i and Maui once daily.

Advance one-way tickets purchased on the Web will cost $47 for trips Tuesday to Thursday, and $57 for trips Friday to Monday, according to the Hawaii Superferry Web site.

Base tickets will cost between $52 and $62.

Cars will cost between $59 and $69 to ship.

There are extra charges for excess baggage, bikes, surfboard storage or pet kennels. A full list of fares is available on the Hawaii Superferry Web site, www.hawaiisuperferry.com.

Hawaii Superferry announced its plan to offer interisland service in 2004. The ferries cost about $75 million each.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.