Despite closure of Hawaii ports, supplies are waiting, ready to be delivered

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Coastal areas are among the most vulnerable during hurricane emergencies. That's why ports are closed, cutting off the shipment of goods and supplies between the islands.

But as soon as the ports reopen after Hurricane Lane passes, shipping companies want to ensure residents that they are ready to respond.

In a news release Thursday, carrier MATSON said they were prepared and positioned to deliver freight as soon as Hawaii ports reopen.

The company says on Wednesday, their vessel Mahimahi arrive at Honolulu Harbor and unloaded 537 containers of goods just before the port closed.

After unloading, the vessel headed to a safe distance offshore. Once conditions calm down, 615 more containers of goods will be unloaded and delivered to consumers.

Within the coming week, four more Matson vessels are scheduled to unload about 3,500 containers of goods and whatever emergency supplies needed.

Neighbor island barges are also just offshore in safe areas from the storm, ready to unload as quickly as possible.

Earlier in the week, port conditions were raised to a concerning level by the Coast Guard officials, leading to the closures.

Young Brothers canceled shipments to neighbor islands out of Honolulu earlier in the week, prompting fears over a lack of supplies in stores as shoppers rushed to get hurricane ready.

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