The Hawai'i Army National Guard yesterday transported about two dozen heavy-equipment vehicles to Maui aboard the Hawaii Superferry.

The load included a bulldozer, a Bobcat miniloader, dump trucks, Humvees, mini-excavators and 20 soldiers from the 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, according to Capt. Regina Berry, deputy public affairs officer for the Hawai'i National Guard.

The troops will join Army and Air National Guardsmen from Maui in clearing debris left over from last month's storms that caused an estimated $1.2 million in damage.

Berry said the heavy equipment and visiting soldiers will be deployed on Maui for approximately one month. She did not have information on how much it cost the state to use the Superferry but said the company provided discounted fares.

National Guard officials have said that since the ferry allows personnel to travel with their vehicles and equipment, they can be operational in speedier fashion.