May 27, 2025
After catastrophic fires blazed through Lahaina in 2023, many Maui residents were left without homes. To support efforts to rebuild, in late 2024, Alaska Marine Lines (AML) assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by delivering three barge loads of modular housing units to Maui to provide temporary housing for residents. The barges traveled between Terminal 115 in Seattle and Kahului, Maui carrying a total of 83 modular units. AML, a Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) customer at Terminal 115, played a crucial role in the operation.
Bret Harper, Vice President of Sales for Alaska Marine Lines, emphasized the company’s commitment to the effort. “We were glad we could assist in a small way with the ongoing Maui recovery efforts,” Harper said. “These barges were loaded with temporary housing units for displaced residents. We worked within tight deadlines and load requirements to move 83 modulars on trailers from Seattle directly to Kahului, Maui”.
The modular units were transported by truck on specialized trailers to Seattle, where they were loaded onto barges for a 10-12-day journey across the Pacific Ocean.
“We couldn’t have done this without the assistance of Young Brothers and Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors at the Port of Kahului. We appreciate their help getting these delivered safely and on time to those who need them,” Harper said.
Reliable barge service to Hawaii and Alaska
Alaska Marine Lines offers scheduled barge service from Seattle, connecting the Pacific Northwest with Oahu, Hawaii and many points throughout Alaska. The neighboring Hawaiian islands of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai, and Lanai are served via connecting inter-island barge from Oahu.
AML transports a wide range of cargo, including necessities like groceries, cars, and boats, as well as oversized machinery and other bulky materials for projects in the mining, oil, and construction industries. AML provides dry and refrigerated containers, all sizes of tugs and barges, and specialized pieces to accommodate even the most complex cargo move. Barges move both break-bulk (container free) and containerized cargo.
