# Kawaihae (US KWH)

**UN/LOCODE:** US KWH  
**Country:** United States  
**Water Body:** North Pacific Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Small  
**Harbor Type:** Coastal (Breakwater)  
**GPS:** 20.0333, -155.8333

Serving as a maritime landing since the 19th century, Kawaihae on the northwest coast of Hawai'i Island was reshaped by a deep-draft basin and a 2,650-foot breakwater first built in 1959. Today it is not an international container gateway but the main interisland cargo point for West Hawai'i, worked by Young Brothers and Matson. Pier 1 handles cement and cattle, while Pier 2 (berths 2A and 2B) receives freight barges roughly twice a week. Since 2021 Matson has discharged solely at Kawaihae rather than also at Hilo to cut fuel use, concentrating volume here and prompting a roughly US$50 million harbour upgrade. District roads distribute building materials, consumer goods and food across the island's west and north, and the new Young Brothers barge Nāulu is home-ported here. Shippers with international or mainline container needs route through Honolulu on O'ahu, from which Kawaihae is fed by barge.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Los Angeles → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-shanghai)
- [Los Angeles → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-shenzhen)
- [Los Angeles → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-guangzhou)
- [Los Angeles → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-hong-kong)
- [Los Angeles → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-tokyo)
- [Los Angeles → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/los-angeles-busan)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kawaihae-port-us-kwh](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/kawaihae-port-us-kwh)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/kawaihae-port-us-kwh](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/kawaihae-port-us-kwh)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/kawaihae-port-us-kwh/llm-summary?lang=en*