HAWAII LOGISTICS
than $23 million in interest cost savings. The transaction represents the largest bond issuance for the airports system in its history. Meanwhile, Hawaii’s ports build on their long history as vital links in the supply chain. Maritime commerce grew rapidly following Hawaii’s establishment as a U.S. state in 1959. Harbor construction, dredging, and landfilling activities continued in order to accommodate increasing demands for goods and other essential materials. The statewide harbor system consists of harbors at Honolulu, Kalaeloa Barbers Point, Hilo, Kawaihae, Kahului, Hana, Kaunakakai, Kaumalapau, Nawiliwili, and Port Allen. Honolulu Harbor functions as the port hub of Hawaii by receiving, consolidating, and distributing practically all overseas cargo shipments, as well as catering to passenger and fishing operations. These maritime operations provide the majority of basic necessities, including food, clothing, construction materials, fuel, and other essential supplies. Today, efforts continue to maintain, develop, and plan for essential harbor infrastructure that supports maritime operations. HDOT’s Honolulu Harbor Master Plan Update is part of an ongoing strategic plan for the infrastructural development, terms of use, and optimization of the port and its facilities to best serve future cargo handling, storage, and distribution requirements, as well as non-cargo maritime operations and maritime support services. Highway Highlights Further strengthening Hawaii’s logistics infrastructure are the paved freeways, highways, and roadways that criss-cross the state’s six major islands. This includes four interstate highways located on Oahu. Among highway improvements currently planned or in progress, of particular interest to logistics providers is the widening and construction of new retaining walls on the H-1 Freeway, Hawaii’s longest and busiest interstate highway. The highway runs east-west on Oahu, connecting Kapolei to Kahala.
Approved Freight Forwarders started more than 30 years ago serving the Guam market and has expanded to Hawaii and California, serving as a key link to the Pacific and around the world.
with our sister company, Royal Hawaiian Movers, the largest mover located in Hawaii,” Zybura says. “Their skilled delivery and installation services give us an added layer of custom logistics solutions to offer our customers,” he adds. “We rely on them and their significant labor pool to offer unique and specialized white-glove delivery, installation, and other services.” Approved Freight has mirrored the logistics improvements of the state itself. “As a company deeply rooted in Hawaii since 2006, we’ve built one of the most comprehensive freight networks in the islands,” says Zybura. “With terminals on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, we offer true end-to-end service that few can match. We’ve made substantial investments in technology, including near real-time shipment tracking and digitized documentation processes that simplify the freight experience for customers.” Deploying A Specialized, Localized Approach Approved Freight also has optimized its inland-to-Hawaii consolidation services and invested in scalable infrastructure, including state-of-the-art warehouses in Honolulu and Los Angeles, to support faster throughput and better inventory management. Hawaii’s geography is both its strength and its biggest challenge, Zybura notes. He cites port congestion, unpredictable weather, limited warehousing space, and inter-island logistics as among the major challenges.
Crucial to its importance for logistics, H-1 links downtown Honolulu with Honolulu International Airport, military installations, and suburban areas. Keeping abreast of Hawaii’s shipping enhancements on land, in the air, and at sea are logistics providers who specialize in navigating Hawaii’s unique infrastructure, understanding both its advantages and challenges. Approved Freight Forwarders: Better and Better From the perspective of Approved Freight Forwarders, the logistics assets of Hawaii are steadily improving. “Over the past several years, we’ve seen continued investment in port infrastructure, improvements in shipping technology, and stronger integration with mainland supply chains,” says Eric Zybura, the company’s CEO and president. “These advancements could lead to increased reliability and shortened transit times—both crucial for Hawaii’s unique supply chain ecosystem. Additionally, digital tools and enhanced tracking systems have brought better visibility to cargo movement, helping shippers make smarter, faster decisions.” Approved Freight Forwarders, part of the DeWitt Family of Businesses, got its start more than three decades ago serving the Guam market and has since expanded to Hawaii and California, serving as a key link to the Pacific and all around the world. “One key factor in our success in solving our customers’ unique challenges is the relationship we have
54 Inbound Logistics • June 2025
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