A groundbreaking partnership has emerged between Maui Gold Pineapple and Amazon Air, revolutionizing Hawaii’s agricultural industry with a new shipping solution to the continental United States.
This collaboration is touted as a ‘game-changer’ for the local economy, providing a direct, fast, and cost-effective method for transporting the iconic fruit.
Launched with a test shipment earlier this month, this initiative has reportedly reduced freight costs by up to 60%, substantially expanding market opportunities for Maui’s renowned pineapples.
The idea for this partnership originated from Oʻahu state Senator Glenn Wakai, who serves as the majority floor leader and vice chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism.
After discovering that Amazon’s cargo planes returned to the Mainland empty following deliveries to the islands, Wakai approached the company, asking if they would be willing to transport locally grown products back to the Mainland.
“After learning they had available cargo space, I inquired about the potential for returning with goods from Hawaii,” Wakai noted.
The dialogue led to months of planning, culminating in a pivotal meeting in April involving key stakeholders, including the state Department of Agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Maui Gold, and Amazon.
As a result, the partnership was formally established, marking a significant logistic and financial breakthrough for Maui Gold Pineapple.
Prior to this collaboration, the company’s primary shipping method to the Mainland was traditional sea freight, which often took a week—too slow and cost-prohibitive for such a perishable item.
The previous shipping constraints limited Maui Gold’s access to specialty grocery stores and restaurants beyond the islands.
John White, the CEO of Maui Gold Pineapple, emphasized the benefits of the new arrangement, stating, “With Amazon Air Cargo, we’ve reduced our shipping times from several days to just one or two.”
This reduction in shipping time not only helps to maintain the freshness of the fruit but also minimizes waste and enables the company to expand during peak harvest season.
Thanks to the air transport option, shipping costs have decreased by 40% to 60%, translating to an estimated savings of $6,600 for a shipment of 10,000 pounds.
The partnership currently sees the company shipping between four to eight pallets of fresh pineapples each week, with plans to expand distribution further.
The initial test shipment recently reached Ontario, Calif., and the new shipping initiative has already grown to include Portland, Ore., and Chicago, with intentions to start shipments to New Orleans soon.
Each pallet consists of 50 cases, with each case weighing approximately 25 pounds, contributing to a total weekly shipment of around 10,000 pounds.
Wakai expressed optimism for the future, noting, “We’re just getting started, and we anticipate this volume will grow as we expand distribution and build relationships with specialty grocery stores, restaurants, and regional wholesalers on the continent.”
He also believes the model established by this initiative could be utilized for other Hawaiian products.
Wakai remarked, “We started with pineapples, but I anticipate expanding into many more products, such as ukuleles, aloha shirts, and local baked cookies.”
He argued that cheaper and faster access to Mainland markets represents a monumental advance in diversifying Hawaii’s economy.
For consumers, the benefits of this partnership are straightforward: superior quality products.
With transportation times now as brief as one to two days, consumers can enjoy Maui Gold pineapples at their peak ripeness and flavor.
Wakai asserted, “Whether purchasing from a specialty grocery store or dining at a restaurant, you’ll be tasting Maui Gold as if it was just picked from the field.”
He emphasized that this collaboration will enable a broader audience in the United States to savor the unique sweetness and quality that sets Maui Gold Pineapple apart.
Tambara Garrick, the chief marketing officer of Maui Gold Pineapple, concluded, “This is a win for Hawaii’s small business community.
We are proud to illustrate how innovative collaborations like this can bolster our state’s economy and agricultural future.”
image source from：mauinow
