However, even before economic problems arose, shippers were complaining that local rates were high compared with those in other parts of the world. Some have called for abolishing the Jones Act , federal legislation requiring that domestic waterborne freight be carried on U.S. owned, U.S. built, and U.S. manned vessels. There may be some light at the end of the tunnel. The first scheduled container ship service to Kahului Harbor is coming late next year. Although 98 percent of Maui's imports come by sea, only a few oceangoing freighters call at Kahului.
Most traffic is containerized and moved by tug and barge.
That's about to change.