Farmer Focus Amid Shipping Rate Concerns

Young Brothers, the only interisland shipping company in the state, is proposing a substantial rate increase starting summer 2025.
If passed by the state Public Utilities Commission, shipping costs would increase an average of 20 percent, with pallet cargo rates soaring to 30 percent for dry cargo and 40 percent for refrigerated.
Molokai farmers are already at a disadvantage when selling products off-island because of this “extra-leg” shipping cost from Molokai to bigger markets, explained Jennifer Hawkins, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) extension agent for Molokai.
Rising shipping costs can place significant pressure on small producers and growing brands, especially when goods must travel through multiple transport points before reaching larger markets.…
















