Message from our Deputy Director
By: Derek Chow
Why Hawai‘i’s Harbors are Important Ia am proud to be the DOT Deputy th Director for D Harbors H Division. Since S arriving in January J 2019, I have come to appreciate all of the variety of tasks performed by Harbors Division employees on Oa Oahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and the Big Island.
supporting economic viability and security. In addition, all goods shipped from the U.S. mainland to Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and other areas throughout the Pacific Ocean are also first shipped through Hawai’i.
Hawai‘i’s Harbors belong to a transportation network that includes highways and airports systems. Together, these systems transport people, goods, equipment and materials safely and efficiently.
Many outside of Harbors Division may have very little awareness and appreciation of Hawai‘i’s Harbor System. In fact, I will bet that most people don’t really think about how goods are delivered to store shelves.
Transportation infrastructure is vital to the economic prosperity and sustainability of Hawai’i. Only when these systems work in coordination can DOT effectively serve our communities.
It is the good work of Harbors Division employees, maritime partners and ground transportation system that ensure goods are distributed throughout the Pacific.
Given the national security shift to deal with threats from China and North Korea, Hawai‘i’s Harbor System, which supports these areas in the Indo-PACOM region, is even that much more important.
Harbors Division’s 250+ employees in operations, engineering, administration and law enforcement, work tirelessly to ensure that goods being delivered to Hawai‘i is done efficiently and safely.
An earlier study estimated that 80% of all goods consumed in Hawai’i are imported, and 99% of all imported goods are delivered to Hawai‘i by waterborne transportation. Hawai‘i’s reliance on waterborne commerce raises harbors infrastructure and maritime activities as critical infrastructure and industries
Hawai’i uses a just-in-time approach in the delivery and consumption of goods, that is,
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See DEPUTY DIRECTOR page 9
