The Maui County Council on May 2 adopted a resolution opposing a proposed increase in inter‑island shipping rates by Young Brothers LLC and urged the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to seek alternatives that would avoid relying solely on rate hikes.

The measure cites Young Brothers’ April filings seeking a large revenue increase, references the company’s previous emergency rate action and subsequent audit, and notes concerns raised by the state Division of Consumer Advocacy. The resolution calls attention to the risk higher shipping rates pose to residents’ cost of living, island farmers, small businesses and the ongoing recovery and rebuilding work in West Maui.

Jay Anna, Young Brothers’ president, joined the council online and answered members’ questions about the company’s finances, investments in barges and port equipment, local employment and regulatory timelines. Anna said the company has invested in infrastructure — including a barge dedicated to Molokai and Lanai and a short‑tension system for Lanai — and argued a temporary increase was needed to avoid projected operating losses, citing a projected $18 million loss for 2025 if no relief is provided.

Testimony opposing the increase came from Molokai and other neighbor‑island residents and community leaders, who said higher freight costs would raise the price of food, medicine and construction materials and would especially harm isolated communities. Several speakers urged state and federal actors to examine the wider regulatory and marketplace framework, including the Jones Act and harbor fees, and to identify relief that would not directly transfer costs to island consumers.

The council’s resolution asks Young Brothers to reconsider the proposed increase and requests the PUC consider other options to stabilize costs. The council adopted the resolution by roll call: seven ayes, one no, and one member excused.

What’s next: The PUC process remains the venue for final rate decisions; the council said it will transmit the resolution to the PUC, the state attorney general, the governor and others named in its text.