WASHINGTON: Interisland cargo shipments between Honolulu and Hawaii’s six Neighbor Islands increased by 1.5 percent in the third quarter of this year, compared to the third quarter last year, according to Young Brothers, Ltd.
Four of the Neighbor Islands saw an increase in cargo volumes, Kauai led the pack with a 4.5 percent increase, while Kawaihae on the Big Island was up 3.4 percent, Maui jumped 1.6 percent and Molokai went up 1.2 percent.
The increase in the third quarter was primarily from vehicle shipments, beverage shipments and construction materials. However, oddly, shipment of construction equipment was weak.
Elsewhere, Hilo and Lanai, did not do as well as their neighbors as they dropped 2.9 percent and 5.3 percent respectively for their quarterly shipments, compared to the previous year.
Also in the third quarter the statewide agricultural volume fell 5.4 percent from the same period last year. Young Brothers said this is most likely because of the heavy rains, which have affected crops.
The drop in the sector hurt the Big Island the worst as it produces most of the state’s agricultural goods. Hilo saw a 19.8 percent decrease in its outbound agricultural cargo this quarter from the same period last year.
Surprisingly, Oahu experienced a 32.2 percent growth in its exports of agricultural cargo. However, Young Brothers said this “appeals to be largely due to one shipper’s change in its method of transportation rather than an increase in agricultural production.”
