(KAHULUI, Maui) — Cargo carriers are prioritizing relief shipments to Maui after wildfires devastated the town of Lahaina earlier this week, leaving thousands homeless.
The Port of Kahului is fully operational, according to a report by Supply Chain Dive, and inter-island freight and transport company Young Brothers noted in an Aug. 9 operations update that it is focusing its efforts on loading and discharging medical supplies and emergency vehicles to the port over the next few sailings.
“Due to shifts in capacity for certain sailings, Young Brothers may re-book some cargo to the next available sailing,” according to the notice. “As a reminder, less than container load cargo is moved on a space-available basis and priority will be given to cargo that support relief efforts.”
A Young Brothers barge was scheduled to arrive in Kahului on Thursday. Supplies include 20 containers for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including four containers of bottled water and 16 containers of ready-to-eat meals, a mobile medical unit and a communications trailer, and vehicles for Hawaiian Electric and Verizon.
“We’ll continue to partner with state and county agencies to keep critical goods flowing into Maui,” the shipping line stated.
Pasha Hawaii reported that supply chain routes are “fully operational as support efforts for Maui wildfire relief are underway.” The company has enacted its emergency response plan, which includes prioritizing emergency rations, foodstuffs and medical supplies via available barge capacity and Pasha Hawaii’s roll-on/roll-off service.
The company is working with government agencies, customers and partners for the shipment of relief supplies in addition to coordinating shipments with nonprofit organizations to Maui.
In support of Maui wildfire relief efforts, Pasha Hawaii presented the nonprofit Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) Maui Strong Fund with a $25,000 donation.
Pasha Hawaii is encouraging those interested in supporting the Maui communities to consider a monetary donation to HCF, which has set up a fund specifically to support the Maui communities affected by the wildfires. HCF will be applying 100 percent of the donations received to assist those in need.
Islands shipper Matson is also working closely with federal, state and county agencies to “assess needs and prioritize emergency supplies and equipment,” a representative told Supply Chain Dive, adding that there would be “more to come” on those efforts.
Other businesses donating services include Hawaii Stevedores, Hawaii Pilots Association, P&M Marine and Inland Boatman’s Union, Capt. Ed Enos, an HPA member and local harbor pilot, told Supply Chain Dive.
“The Hawaii Pilots Association, like so many other maritime businesses, did a big supply drive internally among pilots and employees,” Enos said. “We are gathering bottled water, blankets, canned goods, and of course cash donations.”
He added that the International Longshore and Warehouse Union is also driving collection efforts at all ports on the West Coast, and the containers of donated items will be shipped to Maui for free.
