#Matson

Cargo to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi experienced back-to-back disruptions over the last several days.  First, dangerous ocean swells made it unsafe to moor and discharge cargo at both Kaunakakai and Kaumalapau ports on June 3, and then an unexpected mechanical repair to the towing tug delayed the recovery sailing originally planned for June 6.

Five prominent Hawaiʻi donors and organizations are making a transformative $5-million commitment to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics Department via the UH Foundation to support name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes and help ensure the long-term success and national relevance of UH Mānoa Athletics.

Scouting America, Aloha Council will honor Matson, Inc. as the 2026 Distinguished Citizen Honoree at the annual Distinguished Citizen Dinner on Oct. 29, 2026, at Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort.

To help Hawaiʻi Foodbank meet rising demand across the islands, Matson has increased its support for Hawaiʻi families in need by adding 100 containers to its existing pledge of in-kind shipping services for 400 containers annually through 2027 to serve Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s program for purchasing and transporting large quantities of food from the continental US. 

Matson provided more than 300 gingerbread house kits to Easterseals Hawaii families this Christmas, continuing a partnership that has spanned more than 60 years.

Through charitable shipping contributions valued at more than $1.55 million, Matson has donated freight services to transport 156 shipping containers carrying food and essential supplies to Maui since 2022, thereby making it one of Maui Food Bank’s largest and most impactful partners.

In Hawaii, Matson continued its annual support for public schools statewide as the sole corporate sponsor of the State Department of Education’s Beginning Teacher Summer Academies with a contribution of $50,000 for two years. Larger contributions of primarily in-kind services in Hawaii include: Hawaii Foodbank – $1,254,000; Maui Wildfire Recovery – $ 648,000; Maui Foodbank – $ 613,000; and American Heart Association – $77,500.

Project Vision Hawaiʻi announced the launch of its newest Hiehie mobile hygiene trailer on Maui, designed to provide free, hot showers and essential resources to individuals experiencing homelessness and those impacted by the 2023 wildfires.

TY Management Corporation welcomes the opening of Kapalua Village, the first privately funded temporary housing community for Kapalua golf course and other Kapalua-based employees who were impacted by the devastating Lahaina, Maui wildfires. The opening of Kapalua Village coincides with the one-year remembrance of the wildfires and the first group of families is scheduled to move in this month.

Matson has committed to donating $5 million in cargo transportation services to state- and county-supported Maui recovery projects, including housing. The Ka La‘i Ola project by HomeAid Hawaiʻi, the state, Maui County and Hawai‘i Community Foundation, is the first to benefit from Matson’s assistance. HomeAid Hawai‘i and its contractors are on track to complete the first 270 units by December 2024 and the remaining 180 units by the first quarter of 2025. Starting Aug. 9, 2024, Ka La‘i Ola will be welcoming ‘ohana in phased openings. 

The sculpture “RISE” was created in 1979 by Kauaʻi-born artist Bumpei Akaji as a gift for the late Masaru “Pundy” Yokouchi, founding chairperson of Hawaiʻi’s State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Yokouchi was also the inspiration and driving force behind the fundraising, planning, design, and construction of the world-class Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.  Dods and Shidler purchased the sculpture from Yokouchi’s estate on Maui. Dods named it “RISE” with permission from Yokouchi’s family.

In 2023, Matson contributed $6 million in cash, services and equipment support to organizations in Hawaiʻi, Guam/Micronesia and the South Pacific, with the largest concentration of giving in Maui disaster relief and community support at $1.7 million.

After more than six months, the Polynesian sailing canoe Hōkūleʻa is on her way back to Hawaiʻi courtesy of Matson.  The Matson ship is expected to arrive in Honolulu on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 6.

“This donation is simply our way of saying thank you to the first responders who help keep our community safe. Supporting our firefighters to get better rest and sleep is a good way to show our appreciation,” said BedMart president Steven Stone.

Matson issued a statement today in response to shelter-at-home orders for Hawaiʻi saying the orders for Hawaiʻi will not affect Matson operations. Matson notes that the company and the services that support its operations are considered “Essential Businesses” that support critical transportation infrastructure.

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions. 

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation spokesperson Tim Sakahara responded to Maui Now’s request for information saying, “All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaiʻi continue to be open and operational. Any reports of their closing due to Covid-19 are inaccurate.” Maston Operations Continue Uninterrupted: Matson intends to maintain all service schedules as normal with three arrivals a week to Honolulu and twice a week calls to each neighbor island port.

The team removed a truck load of trash along the road.

Matson has invested nearly $1 billion to build four ships entering service soon, including Kaimana Hila and her sister ship the Daniel K. Inouye

The Daniel K Inouye is the largest containership ever built in the US. It’s arrival also marks the start of a nearly $1 billion investment by Matson.