34.2% Decline in Ag Cargo Volumes From Maui

Young Brothers, Limited reported a 26% decline in shipments on Lāna‘i, due to a continuing reduction in construction activity, according to first quarter 2017 data.

Young Brothers barge, file photo by Wendy Osher.

All other neighbor island ports reported essentially flat volumes over the same period with cargo up a collective 1.4% for the quarter.

Meantime, agricultural sector volumes were down 3.2%, primarily driven by sharply lower shipments originating from the port of Kahului, according to information compiled by YB. The company notes that Maui’s last refinery stopped producing sugar, which was used in manufacturing local beverages.

Modest volume increases of agricultural products from the ports of Honolulu, Kawaihae, and Nāwiliwili were not enough to offset this large loss of Kahului volumes.  Agricultural shipments from Honolulu were up 4.1%; Kawaihae up 5.4%; Nāwiliwili up 14.9%; and Moloka‘i up 3.5%. Conversely, volumes were down 34.2% on Maui; and down 1% in Hilo.