Interisland Shipping: Vital to Hawai‘i’s Economy & Life In the Islands
Moving goods between our island communities is vital to Hawai‘i’s economy and our way of life. Interisland shipping is the ocean highway of the state’s supply chain, and has been recognized by the state as an essential public service.

Our Kuleana: Reliable Statewide Shipping Services
Young Brothers is responsible for transporting all cargo that moves between the islands by water. We are required to provide frequent and reliable service to ports across the state, including lower-volume and unprofitable routes.

How Young Brothers is Regulated
The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission (PUC) oversees Young Brothers as a regulated water carrier, setting the rules for how the company must operate and reviewing its rates, services, and major investments to ensure safe, reliable interisland shipping at just and reasonable prices. The Division of Consumer Advocacy of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is responsible for advocating for the interests of utility customers in matters before the PUC.

Public-Private Partnership in Providing a Critical Service
Public utility regulation is a partnership between the state and the private company that steps forward to fill a critical need, such as providing electricity, drinking water and interisland shipping.
● Customers receive safe, reliable service.
● The utility is allowed to recover its costs and a fair return on the investments that make that service possible.

Restoring Financial Stability & Modernizing Regulation
Young Brothers must seek approval for rate adjustments to recover changes in costs and investments necessary to sustain reliable service. That process is complex, costly, and can take years to complete.

While this oversight protects customers, it also means rate changes lag rising costs for months or years. During these long periods of under-recovery, Young Brothers experiences mounting financial distress until rates are adjusted, often requiring customers to cope with large, disruptive increases.

Learn more: Fact Sheet | Navigating Delayed Rate Relief