Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company

Hawaiian steamship and ferry company

Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co.

house flag

Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co.'s the "SS Maunakea" in Hawaii, 1918

Founded| February 7, 1883
Founder| Thomas R. Foster
Defunct| 1947
Headquarters|

Honolulu, HI

Area served

| Hawaiian Islands

Key people

| John Ena \- Pres.
1898-1902
James A. Kennedy - Pres.
1902-1926
Stanley Kennedy Sr. \- Pres.
1933-1947
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. Inter-Island constructed the Kona Inn in 1928, the first hotel in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. In 1929, Inter-Island created an airline subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways, that is still operating as Hawaiian Airlines.

## History

[edit]

Inter-Island's office and warehouse

Shipbuilder Thomas R. Foster moved to Hawaii in 1857 and founded Inter-Island Steam Navigation in 1883 with partners W.B. Godfrey, G.N. Wilcox, A.S. Wilcox, and J.M. Sass.[1][2] Inter-Island's early ships included the SS James Makee, SS Planter, SS CR Bishop, SS Iwalani, and the SS Helene.[2] Inter-Island's headquarters were at 902 Nuuanu Avenue in downtown Honolulu in the T.R. Foster building.[3] James A. Kennedy was recruited from the Honolulu Iron Works to become President of Inter-Island in 1902.[2] In 1905, Kennedy absorbed the Wilder Steamship Co. into Inter-Island, creating the largest fleet of steamers serving the Hawaiian Islands.[4] In 1925, Inter-Island had four steamers: SS Humuula, SS Hawaii, SS Waialeale, and SS Haulalai[5]

### Kona Inn

[edit]

Kona Inn Shopping Village

To promote travel to the Big Island, Inter-Island's board of directors approved the construction of the Kona Inn, the first hotel in Kona.[2] They hired architect Charles William Dickey, who was known for his distinctive Hawaiian style design.[6] The oceanfront Kona Inn opened in 1928, with 20 rooms, a salt water swimming pool, tennis courts, spacious lawns, cocktail lounge, and luaus.[7] The Kona Inn eventually expanded to 220 rooms, and helped turn Kona into a premier tourist destination[2] The Kona Inn was converted into the Kona Inn Shopping Village in 1980.[8]

### Inter-Island Airways

[edit]

Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330

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.[4] On January 30, 1929, the company founded a subsidiary, Inter-Island Airways, that would later become Hawaiian Airlines.

### Strike of 1938

[edit]

On August 1, 1938, protests against the company by several unions resulted in the Hilo massacre.[5] Inter-Island's SS Waialeale arrived in Hilo crewed by strike-breakers, to be met by 200 protesting longshoremen. A riot ensued between the police and longshoremen with at least 16 rounds fired (7 birdshot and 9 buckshot), at least one bayonet stabbing, clubs, and fire hoses.[9] There were no fatalities, but many injuries.[5]

### Downfall

[edit]

During WWII, Inter-Island Steam Navigation's ships were commandeered into military service by the War Shipping Administration.[2] 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.[2] 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.[4]

March 1916 advertisement

## Fleet

[edit]

* Waimea (-1923), bought in March 1923 by the Los Angeles Steamship Company for their Los Angeles-San Francisco service.[10]
* Haleakala (1923-), replacement for the Wimea (unclear if purchased or not).[11]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Hawaiian Kingdom 1874-1893". Ulukau: The Hawaiian Electronic Library. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Banham, Russ (2014). Hawaiian. Nashville, TN: Greenwich Publishing. pp. 33, 47. ISBN 978-1-941800-00-3.
3. ^ "T.R. Foster Building". HiChinatown. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
4. ^ a b c 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.
5. ^ a b c Puette, William. "Hilo Massacre". hawaii.edu. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
6. ^ "A Look Back at Hawaii's Earliest, most Historic Hotels". Hawaii Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
7. ^ Dechape, Chantel. "Historical Kona Inn Shopping Village". Aloha Visitors Guide. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
8. ^ "Kona Inn Shopping Village". bigislandguide.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
9. ^ Dziedziech, Alexis. "Hawaiians strike against Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company Limited, 1938". Non Violent Database Swarthmore.edu. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
10. ^ "Purchase Waimea From Hawaii Line". San Pedro News Pilot. 15 March 1923. p. 2.
11. ^ "Purchase Waimea From Hawaii Line". San Pedro News Pilot. 15 March 1923. p. 2.