Credential Renewal Coming to Molokaʻi for Freight Access

Neighbor island barge shipment file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development today announced that its Kuha‘o Business Center in Kaunakakai, on Molokaʻi has secured funding to bring a mobile Transportation Worker Identification Credential unit to the island from Aug. 26 to 28.

County officials say the mobile unit will enable more than 140 transportation workers with expired credentials to apply for renewals of their TWIC cards.

The cards are issued by the Transportation Security Administration and the US Coast Guard, and are required for all workers who need un-escorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels.

On Moloka‘i, county officials say many business owners send employees to pick up freight in secured areas on a regular basis.

“Without these cards, businesses cannot retrieve supplies, products or other items that are vital to their operation,” according to the announcement.

County officials say that by bringing the mobile unit to Molokaʻi, an estimated $60,000 in airfare will be saved, since the only TWIC offices for card renewals are on Maui and Oʻahu.

“Without the mobile TWIC unit, a single card renewal requires two round trips off-island: one to apply for the TWIC, and one to pick up the cards,” county officials said.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa commented in a county-issued press release saying, “Moloka‘i receives many deliveries through freight services at the harbor, and these cards are essential for doing business there. By bringing the TWIC unit here we can get these access cards out to the community quickly so that the flow of business is not delayed. It may seem like a minor detail, but on Moloka‘i, this can make or break a local business.”

Maui County Councilmember Stacy Crivello also commented saying, “Moloka‘i appreciates the utilization of Maui County funds to bring TWIC enrollment and renewal services to our island for over 140 applicants. Support from the Office of Economic Development and the Maui County Council will provide an opportunity to assist Moloka‘i businesses and individuals to be in compliance with federal requirements. More importantly, the on-island process will help curtail exorbitant costs and delays that may be incurred from off-island travel,” she said.

Appointments are required to enroll or to renew an existing card at the upcoming mobile event, and can be made by calling the Kuha‘o Center at (808) 553-8100.

County officials say the $5,000 cost of bringing the mobile TWIC unit to Moloka‘i is being paid for through the Moloka‘i Economic Development Fund.