By Karen Robes Meeks
Gov. David Ige and the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division on January 17 celebrated the ground-breaking of the state commercial harbor system’s biggest capital improvement project, the $448 million Kapālama Container Terminal project.
“I’m proud to say the construction of the Kapālama Container Terminal Project is underway, and in four years we’ll have a new state-of-the-art cargo facility that will allow us to consolidate cargo operations, enhance operational efficiencies and improve cargo handling capacity. This will support our local economy while ensuring the continued flow of cargo to our communities through this distribution hub,” Ige stated.
The Kapālama Container Terminal is the heart of a plan to modernize the harbor. Considering that more than 80 percent of all goods consumed on the islands are imported, and more than 98.6 percent of that number moves through the state’s commercial harbor system, it is vital to maintain the shipping logistics to sustain the state.
“The Kapālama Container Terminal project is an investment in Hawaii’s future that will pay dividends for generations to come,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO of The Pasha Group. “The partnership we’ve cultivated with Gov. Ige’s administration has given us the confidence to invest in the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels. They will serve the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane, and construct infrastructure improvements unique to our Honolulu operation, including facilities and container gantry cranes. We look forward to the completion of this new terminal and our continued partnership and service to Hawaii’s communities,” he added.
