Inbound Logistics | June 2026

LogistIcs In HawaII: SUSTAINING SUPPLY CHAINS

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AMPLIFY CHALLENGES

The Aloha Marine Lines barge service features bi-weekly voyages between Seattle and Hawaii. “We use our Makani Class barges for our Hawaii service,” says Harper. “They are built to hold up to the rigors of transiting the open ocean and the rough weather that can occur on that journey.” The Makani Class barges are 438 feet long and 105 feet wide, with a deadweight capacity of 16,900 tons. They are tted with high binwalls, which help to keep freight secure while minimizing the amount of lashing needed for each voyage. The newest Makani Class barge, the Makani Loa , was built and added to the eet in 2024. Finding innovative ways to service customers efciently and effectively is a core focus of Lynden. “The binwalls on the Makani Class barges are a good example,” says Harper. “With the walled barges, fewer preparations are required to protect cargo from the ocean elements, so most cargo can be handled the same as it is on the mainland.” PREPARING FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES Lynden’s innovative equipment also includes a eet of 102-inch-wide equipment that start at 20 feet long and go as long as 53 feet. “Lynden’s wide variety of unique equipment ensures that we can utilize the best solution for the customer’s freight,” says Harper. Regardless of any special requirements, Harper adds, Lynden freight specialists work with customers “every step of the way” to ensure that all contingencies are handled. “We work through the booking process to make sure all requirements are being met from the start.”

Although mainland residents tend to think of Hawaii as a single destination, the state comprises multiple islands, each with distinct logistical demands. The Hawaiian archipelago includes eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), and Kahoolawe. Each island presents unique geographic and infrastructure considerations, with the Big Island serving as both the largest island and the southeasternmost point in the chain. Oahu is by far the most populous island, home to well over half of Hawaii’s residents, as well as the state capital, Honolulu. The next most populous islands are the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Hawaii’s remote Pacic location and multi-island geography create a logistics landscape that demands specialized expertise. While geographic isolation has driven innovation in supply chain management, the state’s dispersed island network also amplies distribution challenges. The roughly 2,400-mile distance from the U.S. mainland increases shipping costs, extends lead times, and heightens vulnerability to weather disruptions and natural disasters. Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imports makes reliable, just-in-time delivery especially important given its limited storage capacity. Any disruption can quickly affect the availability of food, medicine, fuel, and other essential supplies. Port congestion at key hubs, such as Honolulu Harbor, can further strain operations. As a result, logistics providers serving Hawaii must be procient across multiple transportation modes while adapting to the unique operational realities of inter-island commerce. HONING MULTIMODAL CAPABILITIES The challenges inherent in serving the special needs of Hawaii are well known to the Lynden family of companies, which have provided transportation

“” If something needs to be delivered quickly, we can transport it via air or ship. If it’s less urgent, we can save the customer money by using our barge service. We call this service Dynamic Routing. BRET HARPER Vice President of Sales Aloha Marine Lines, Lynden services in the Hawaii market for more than four decades. Lynden offers air and ocean freight forwarding services, as well as regularly scheduled barge service. Given Lynden’s multimodal capabilities, customers can optimize their time and cost by shipping via air, land, ocean, or some combination. “You pay for the speed you need,” says Bret Harper, vice president of sales for Aloha Marine Lines, part of the Lynden family of companies. “Our combined capabilities allow customers to have their freight picked up from suppliers on the mainland and shipped to Hawaii all by the same company, simplifying the entire process. If something needs to be delivered quickly, we can transport it via air or ship. If it’s less urgent, we can save the customer money by using our barge service. We call this service Dynamic Routing.”

Lynden has systems in place to prepare for the unexpected,

unpredictable events that so often befall Hawaii, Harper says. “Transportation exibility is key for logistics managers responding to supply chain challenges during unexpected events,” he says. “Lynden focuses on multimodal solutions precisely for that reason, utilizing combinations of air, land, and sea options to best balance time and cost.

40 Inbound Logistics • June 2026