Young Brothers Requests Reduced Schedule for Maui Starting May 5

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and decreasing cargo volumes, Young Brothers, LLC today submitted a request to the Public Utilities Commission to make temporary adjustments to the company’s sailing schedule for Maui and Hawai‘i counties with a requested effective date of May 5, 2020. Young Brothers will also implement changes to hours of operation at all of its ports including Honolulu, Nāwiliwili, Kahului, Kaumalapau, Kaunakakai, Kawaihae, and Hilo.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino and Managing Director Sandy Baz responded to the proposal on Friday afternoon.

“In our more than 120 years serving Hawai‘i, Young Brothers has been there to help our communities respond, recover and rebuild after devastating hurricanes, destructive flooding, and volcanic eruptions,” said Jay Ana, president of Young Brothers, LLC. “Today, as we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, our team members know the people of Hawai‘i are counting on us now – more than ever – to connect our island communities as one ‘ohana and deliver the supplies they need.”

Young Brothers has experienced a steep decline in cargo volumes for all ports due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The following summarizes the requested temporary changes to YB’s sailing schedule for Maui and Hawai‘i counties beginning May 5, 2020, subject to PUC approval. All other county sailing schedules will not be affected. To view YB’s updated sailing schedule for the two counties, click here.

“These requested temporary adjustments to our sailing schedule will be optimized to utilize the excess capacity on our barges bound for Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Hilo to help ensure that shelves are stocked and our communities are served with steady, reliable inter-island cargo service,” said Keith Kiyotoki, sales and marketing manager at Young Brothers.

As indicated in the schedule, YB may supplement service from Moloka‘i as needed with an occasional stopover on Wednesday morning as the Kawaihae barge returns to the port of Honolulu. The service is intended to facilitate the timely transport of fresh produce from Moloka‘i to the neighboring islands and support the farming and agriculture industries. The occasional Kawaihae/Kaunakakai stopover will allow fresh produce from Moloka‘i to reach the neighbor-island markets.

In conjunction with the amended sailing schedule, all ports will convert one or two days of regular gate hours (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) to half-day operations (7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.). Click here to view Young Brothers’ updated gate hours at the ports of Honolulu, Nāwiliwili, Kahului, Kaumalapau, Kaunakakai, Kawaihae, and Hilo.

Young Brothers executives say the company is closely monitoring the guidance and updates on COVID-19 from CDC, state, and local authorities. The company continues to accept essential goods and food items with uninterrupted deliveries at all ports across the state. Beginning on April 13, every individual who enters a Young Brothers facility is required to wear a face mask or covering in accordance with guidance from state and local health officials.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.

PC: Courtesy Young Brothers.