• To plan the proper development of Hilo and Kawaihae harbors, thereby facilitating maritime shipments of the essential commodities required by Hawaii's citizenry;
• To optimize the utilization of land and water resources committed to marine cargo, passenger and fishing operations in an economically responsible manner;
• To provide terminals, other harbor resources and access to these facilities in locations within Hilo Bay, Kawaihae Bay and other sites in a manner that best relates to and serves Hawaii's port system in an efficient, safe and secure manner;
• To minimize the impact on environmental quality and recreational opportunities contiguous with Hawaii's port facilities.

Lounging idyllically in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii enjoys a tranquil separation from continental stresses. Islanders pay for this isolation, however, with a necessary dependence on ocean shipping to supply their everyday needs. Hawaii imports 80 percent of its food and merchandise. 98.6 percent of these imports - food, clothing, building materials, cars, fuel, etc. - is shipped by sea. As there is no feasible alternative to this procurement process, ocean shipping is Hawaii's primary life-sustaining enterprise.
Hawaii's maritime cargo operations have evolved from the use of simple sailing ships and the labor of seamen to incredibly large, specialized ships with a wide array of shipping containers and mechanized cargo handling methods. This evolution places an urgent demand on the commercial harbor to provide the facilities, space, utilities, roadways and authorizations necessary to facilitate the receipt of Hawaii's essential cargoes. The State's commercial harbors have become shipping's and Hawaii's life-line infrastructure. Ocean cargo carriers, with their specialized requirements, can only deliver their commodities through these commercial harbors.
While attempting to establish the economic importance of the port system, it rapidly became evident that commercial harbor operations are not a normal income-producing activity. The port system does not compete with the revenue streams of industrial warehouses, shopping centers, tourist attractions or restaurants - it provides for the construction, supply and support of these businesses, making them possible. The port system should not be viewed as an economic activity, but as the State's primary infrastructure, sustaining the quality and modernization of Hawaii's lifestyles. The commercial harbor is an island's initial facility requirement.
Like the 2010 Master Plans for Hilo and Kawaihae Harbor, the 2020 Master Plan will provide a general, long-range guide for commercial harbor development, based on the knowledge and experience of the users of the facilities and their anticipation of future trends. The 2020 Master Plan remains flexible, allowing adaptations to changing economic, social, land use policy and other forces that shape harbor developments. Planning documents are usually updated every five years to address such changes.

Hilo Harbor is the older of the two. Established by King Kamehameha as the seat of his provincial government, Hilo Harbor enjoyed the prestige of royalty. As Hilo Harbor evolved as a supply port for the California Gold Rush and the whaling industry, and as a point of origin for the sandalwood trade, its ability to accommodate more and larger shipments of cargo grew. With this growth, the town of Hilo enjoyed prosperity and an accompanying growth as the seat of both Territorial and State governments.
Hilo Harbor in the year 2020 is envisioned with new piers, an overseas container terminal, an inter-island cargo terminal, liquid and dry bulk cargo facilities, a cruise ship terminal, accommodations for commercial fishing, military cargo and ocean research operations. Adequate berthing for the anticipated number and types of vessels and the necessary roadways to support these operations is included in the master plan.

Kawaihae Harbor was conceived in part to alleviate some of Hilo Harbor's congestion. Kawaihae Harbor also provides maritime access for the commerce required by the island's growing western communities. It is now apparent that Kawaihae Harbor is poised to service west Hawaii as a modern transportation facility, providing essential commodities and commerce for its growing businesses and industries.
Kawaihae Harbor's plans similarly reflect improvements through additional pier construction, an overseas container terminal, an inter-island cargo terminal, liquid and dry bulk cargo facilities, an alternate cruise ship terminal, a military cargo terminal, ocean research accommodations, navigational improvements and adequate, though shared, berthing for the anticipated number and types of commercial vessels and the necessary roadways to support these operations.

Detailed technical, financial and environmental studies will be undertaken before these recommendations are implemented. If these studies prove the recommendations infeasible and result in changes to the proposed scope of improvements, the Harbors Division will again seek input from the users to validate the modifications.
Almost everything Hawaii uses is imported and practically all of these imported goods are shipped by sea. This statement underscores the importance of the port system to the State and its visitors and justifies the provision of resources for the maritime industry as it evolves in response to the changing needs of the people.