If you run a business on the Big Island of Hawaii, you know that fast and efficient freight movement is critical for keeping your operations moving forward—and keeping costs down.
To streamline and simplify your next Big Island freight shipment, we put together this guide. We’ll give you an insider’s look at how freight gets to the Big Island, how long it takes, how much it costs, and what you should expect from your freight provider.
With all of these tips in hand, you’ll keep your supply chain running efficiently, avoid the common challenges businesses experience with Big Island freight, and protect your bottom line.
#1: Big Island Freight Moves Through Both Hilo and Kawaihae Harbors
If you’re operating a local business, you may already know that freight moves through the ports on both sides of the Big Island: Hilo Harbor on the windward side and Kawaihae Harbor on the leeward side.
Believe it or not, we occasionally get calls from off-island freight providers who think that Hilo Harbor is the only option for sending and receiving Big Island freight. For businesses operating on the Kona coast, sending freight through Hilo means a long drive across the island. Instead, Kawaihae offers a much more efficient option for businesses located on the Big Island’s leeward coast.
Just in case there’s any confusion, let’s clear it up with a quick run-down on the Big Island’s two ports:
Kawaihae Harbor
Location: Leeward (western) coast of the Big Island, ~35 miles north of Kailua-Kona.
- Receives bulk and containerized cargo.
- Processed more than 1 million short tons of cargo in fiscal year 2022.
Hilo Harbor
Location: Windward (eastern) coast of the Big Island, a few miles from downtown Hilo.
- Receives bulk and containerized cargo, plus roll-on/roll-off traffic and cruise ships.
- Processed 1.63 million short tons of bulk cargo in fiscal year 2022.
Multiple Locations, Faster Service
Ideally, look for a freight provider with terminals on both sides of the Big Island. Having warehouses, equipment, and teams near both Hilo and Kawaihae allows a provider to utilize the port that’s closest to your business. This creates efficiencies—and opens the door to faster freight deliveries.
#2: Choose the Right Balance Between Cost and Speed
How fast can cargo get to the Big Island? Pretty fast—if you’re willing to pay for it. Optimizing Big Island logistics is all about establishing the right balance between cost and speed:
- Air freight will be your fastest option but also your most expensive one. Air freight can get to the Big Island in as little as a few days—or faster, depending on how much you’re willing to spend.
- Ocean freight will be your most cost-effective option, but it’s also your slowest. Transit time from West Coast mainland ports to both Hilo and Kawaihae is about 7-9 days, and you’ll want to add a few days to account for freight cut-offs and delivery time.
Some Big Island businesses use a mix of these two modes to get the most out of their freight budgets. Regular restocks move via ocean freight, while urgent requests might warrant an air freight shipment.
Air freight shipments move through both of the Big Island’s major airports: Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA).
#3: Pick a Big Island Provider Who Can Meet All of Your Freight Needs
When you choose a Big Island freight provider that can deliver a full roster of services, you’ll gain a partner agile enough to meet the requirements of a growing business. For example, you may rely primarily on ocean freight to move cargo to the Big Island, but, occasionally, you may need the speed of air freight to complete a vital project or cater to an important customer.
If you’ve selected a one-stop freight provider, you can easily arrange for extra services with a single phone call—no need to vet someone new or call around. Look for a Big Island freight provider who can assist you with all of the following:
Ocean freight, including full container (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) services
Air freight, for high-value, lightweight freight—or to expedite critical freight shipments that need to move fast
Interisland, mainland, and international freight capability, so you can send to and receive from anywhere in the world
Specialty freight, including oversized loads, overweight cargo, and hazardous materials so you have ultimate flexibility
Warehousing, including palletizing and shrink-wrapping services
Storage, both on the Big Island and the mainland, which can help keep costs down
Local pick-up, including curbside, inside, and white glove service
Local delivery, including curbside, inside, and white glove service
Even if you don’t need all of these services today, choosing a provider with a full portfolio of solutions means you’ll have a trusted partner who’s ready to assist with your changing logistics needs.
#4: Yes, Door-to-Door Service (and More!) Is Available
In some remote locations, it’s tough to find a freight provider with full delivery services. Instead, you might find yourself picking up or dropping off your own freight at a seaport or the airport.
On the Big Island, curbside pick-up and delivery services are available. Additionally, higher services levels like inside delivery and white glove service are also available from select providers.
What, exactly, do these freight services include? Check out our explanation below, so you’ll know exactly what services to request during your next freight project:
Big Island Freight Services
- What’s included: Curbside service is exactly what it sounds like. The driver will pick up or deliver freight to the curb. Depending on your setup, that might be at the back door of a retail store, at a warehouse door, or at the end of a driveway.
- What’s not included: The driver isn’t required to cross the threshold, unpack/pack freight, or remove debris.
Inside delivery/pick-up:
- What’s included: In an inside delivery, the driver actually enters the warehouse or place of business to deliver or pick up the freight. However, the driver is only required to step just inside the threshold to drop or retreive freight.
- What’s not included: The driver does not have to navigate long hallways, stairs, or elevators to access the freight. Unpacking and debris removal are not included.
White glove delivery/pick-up:
- What’s included: White glove is the highest level of freight service available, and it’s customizable to your needs. For example, in a white glove delivery, the team could unpack your freight, put it in place, complete any final assembly, and remove any packing debris. During a white glove pick-up, the team could retrieve your freight from its current location, pack it for transportation, and load it on a truck to its next destination.
If you have any questions about your pick-up or delivery service level, make sure to talk to your freight provider when you’re scheduling service. That way, you won’t see any surprise charges on your invoice—and the team can arrive with all the equipment and assistance they need to do the job right.
#5: Direct Ocean Freight Service Means Faster Arrival
Big Island companies with multiple locations in Hawaii move freight in one of two ways:
- Some companies send all their freight to Oahu, truck it to a warehouse, sort and segregate it, truck it back to Honolulu Harbor, and then move it by interisland barge to either Hilo or Kawaihae.
- Other companies sort and segregate at the origin point (at a mainland terminal, for example), then send the freight directly to Kawaihae or Hilo without unloading, trucking, and sorting in Oahu.
If you’re managing freight movement to multiple locations—and you don’t want to unload and sort your freight on Oahu—you don’t have to. Direct service to the Big Island is available. Once your freight arrives in Honolulu, we can arrange for it to be transferred right to an interisland barge headed for Hilo or Kawaihae.
Direct service is faster—and more efficient. It will also save you money in terms of taxes, warehousing, and transportation costs. In many cases, with that 7-9 day transit time, you can receive your freight as quickly as two weeks after it leaves a California port.
If you’re interested in direct service for your shipments, talk to your freight provider—or reach out to one of our Hawaii freight experts. We’d be happy to help you get your freight to the Big Island faster.
#6: The Right Equipment Matters
The Big Island presents navigational challenges for freight pick-up and delivery. Narrow roads, steep driveways, heavy traffic, and uneven terrain can all be tough to negotiate—especially if you’re hauling a 20-foot or 40-foot container.
Look for a Big Island provider with a full range of equipment to ensure safe and efficient freight service. Below, we’ll share some best practices regarding particular types of freight deliveries and equipment so you know what to expect of your Big Island freight provider.
Full Container Delivery
If you’ve got a large enough shipment, choosing FCL (full container load) service can offer economies of scale. However, delivering a full container of freight isn’t always as easy as driving the container right up to a place of business. Some locations on the Big Island can’t accommodate a full container—including many businesses in downtown Hilo, for example.
When it’s not possible to spot a container near the delivery location, most freight providers will take the container back to their warehouse after retrieving it from the port. There, they’ll unload the freight from the container and reload it onto a smaller type of equipment that the delivery location can accommodate. This will allow the delivery crew to get as close as possible to the final delivery location, reducing handling, in turn, the possibility of damage.
If You Find Yourself in This Situation: On your invoice, you may see charges for unloading and reloading your shipment for delivery. Or, your provider may give you an all-in-one quote that includes these charges already. Make sure to ask up front to avoid an expense you didn’t budget for.
Box Truck Deliveries
When delivering freight on the Big Island, box trucks are a great choice, since they protect freight against wind and inclement weather. These maneuverable vehicles can also fit in places that might be tough for larger equipment.
Most box trucks are equipped with lift gates, which make for easy deliveries in locations without a loading dock. When you schedule a freight delivery or pickup, make sure you and your provider discuss any access issues, so the crew can bring whatever equipment they need—such as a pallet jack or a forklift—for a safe and easy delivery.
Flatbed Deliveries
Items that won’t fit in a box truck may require a flatbed. The pick-up or delivery crew may need specialized equipment, such as a forklift, to load or unload freight safely from the flatbed. If you have any concerns, talk with your freight provider when you’re scheduling your pick-up or delivery.
#7: Sturdy Packaging Is a Must
Improperly packaged freight can cost you money. When possible, palletize and shrink wrap your freight to give it maximum protection in transit to and from the Big Island. This allows freight to be loaded and offloaded with a forklift for minimal handling. Items that have to be hand-loaded are at increased risk for damage.
Additionally, for extra freight protection, consider:
- Banding your ocean freight – Especially if that freight is moving interisland on an open barge, a little extra stability is a good thing.
- A custom crating solution – Crating is also great protection for oversized, high-value items that don’t fit in a container.
If you need assistance packaging your freight, just let our Approved team know. We’ve moved just about everything under the sun to, from, and around Hawaii, and we can create a cost-effective, efficient solution for your freight, no matter its origin or destination.
Your Big Island Freight, Moved Safely and Efficiently
Now that you know the ins and outs of Big Island freight, you’re perfectly positioned to optimize your logistics. With these best practices and freight tips, you’ll know whether you need to make any tweaks to your current operations in order to keep your cargo moving and protect your bottom line.
Have questions about your Big Island Freight? We’d be happy to help! Just reach out, and one of our Hawaii freight experts will be in touch.
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