Water Carriers
Water carriers provide essential transportation services by vessel, moving passengers and cargo between ports throughout Hawaii
About Water Carriers
A water carrier is a company that transports people, goods, or cargo over water between ports. In Hawaii, water carriers play a critical role in supporting interisland commerce and travel by moving essential supplies, vehicles, construction materials, retail goods, and passengers between islands. Since Hawaii is an island state, reliable and reasonably priced water transportation services are vital to the economy and daily life of residents and businesses.
Regulatory Oversight of Water Carriers and Consumer Protection
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the following water carriers:
- Young Brothers, LLC – Provides intra-island shipping services for cargo and goods.
- Hone Heke Corporation (Expeditions) – Operates the passenger ferry service between Maui and Lānaʻi.
The Consumer Advocate represents the interests of Young Brothers’ and Expedition’s customers on matters such as rate increase requests from Water Carriers that are reviewed and adjudicated by the PUC. The PUC oversees these carriers’ rates, fees, and tariffs to ensure that services are just, reasonable, and in compliance with state laws and administrative rules.
Information about current regulatory proceedings involving regulated water carriers is available on the Open Dockets for Water Carriers page.