Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company

Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co.
Founded 1883
Founder Thomas R. Foster
Defunct 1947
Headquarters Honolulu, HI
Area served
 Hawaiian Islands
Key people

James A. Kennedy - Pres.

Stanley Kennedy Sr. - Pres.
Services Passenger and Cargo Transportation between the Hawaiian Islands

Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company was headquartered in Honolulu and ran steamship passenger and cargo service between the Hawaiian Islands from 1883 until 1947.

History

Shipbuilder Thomas R. Foster moved to Hawaii in 1857 and founded Inter-Island Steam Navigation in 1883.[1] Inter-Island's early ships included the James Makee, Iwalani, and the Helene.[1] James A. Kennedy was recruited from the Honolulu Iron Works to become President of Inter-Island in 1902.[1] In 1905, Kennedy absorbed the Wilder Steamship Co. into Inter-Island, creating the largest fleet of steamers serving the Hawaiian Islands.[2] In 1925, Inter-Island had four steamers: SS Humuula, SS Hawaii, SS Waialeale, and SS Haulalai[3]

Inter-Island Airways

James Kennedy's son, Stanley Kennedy Sr., returned from WWI after flying Curtiss H-16 flyingboats for the US Navy and joined his father in management at Inter-Island. Stan Kennedy convinced the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Board of Directors to expand their business into the fledgling aviation industry.[2] On January 30, 1929, the company founded a subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways, that would later become Hawaiian Airlines.

Strike of 1938

On August 1, 1938 protests against the company by several unions resulted in the Hilo massacre.[3] Inter-Island's SS Waialeale arrived in Hilo crewed by strike-breakers, to be met by protesting longshoremen. A riot ensued between the police and longshoremen that ended with no fatalities, but many injuries. [3]

Downfall

During WW II, Inter-Island Steam Navigation's ships were commandeered into military service. The lack of civilian cargo ships led to the proliferation of airborne cargo and passenger transportation between the Hawaiian Islands. The 14 hour voyage from Honolulu to Hilo on a steamer, could now be done in 100 minutes on a DC-3 aircraft. [1] Inter-Island Steam Navigation's passenger and cargo service was essentially a victim of Inter-Island Airways success ,as well as the creation of Aloha Airlines in 1946, and discontinued operations in 1947.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Banham, Russ (2014). Hawaiian. Nashville, TN: Greenwich Publishing. p. 33, 47. ISBN 978-1-941800-00-3.
  2. 1 2 3 Cohen, Stan (1986). Hawaiian Airlines: A Pictorial History of the Pioneer Carrier in the Pacific. Pictorial Histories Publishing Co. pp. 10–11. ISBN 0-933126-81-6.
  3. 1 2 3 Puette, William. "Hilo Massacre". hawaii.edu. Retrieved 28 January 2018.

In 1898, Inter-Island had three steamers: Lehua, Mokolii, and LikeLike[1]


  1. ↑ The Pacific commercial advertiser. (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands), 17 Feb. 1898. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85047084/1898-02-17/ed-1/seq-6/>.
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