By Dr. Inam U. Rahman, M.D.
For more than a century, the Jones Act – formally the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – has governed shipping between U.S. ports. It requires that domestic cargo move on vessels that are U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, U.S.-flagged, and U.S.-crewed.
While intended to strengthen national security and support American maritime jobs, some provisions now create unintended economic burdens for non-contiguous states and territories such as Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.
Hawaiʻi is especially vulnerable because nearly everything we use – from food and medicine to fuel and building materials – must arrive by ship or air. Hawaiʻi imports most of its food, making transportation costs especially important to local families. As an island state already facing one of the highest costs of living in the nation, Hawaiʻi depends on an efficient and affordable transportation system.
As a physician, I have seen patients struggle to afford healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables essential for preventing and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Higher shipping costs contribute to higher food prices, making healthy choices more difficult for working families, seniors, and residents living on fixed incomes.
Native Hawaiians are often disproportionately affected because they face higher rates of poverty, food insecurity, housing challenges, and chronic health conditions. When the cost of essential goods rises, the burden falls hardest on vulnerable communities.
Supporters of the Jones Act correctly note that a strong domestic maritime industry is important for national security, military readiness, and maintaining a skilled American workforce. Those concerns are legitimate. But protecting national interests and reducing costs for island communities are not mutually exclusive goals.
One of the costliest parts of the law is the requirement that vessels used in domestic shipping be built in the United States. American-built ships often cost far more than comparable foreign-built vessels, and those costs are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher shipping expenses.
Modernizing the Jones Act does not mean abandoning American maritime strength. It means updating an outdated provision while preserving the law’s core goals. A balanced reform plan could preserve U.S.-flag, U.S.-ownership, and U.S.-crew requirements, while modernizing the build requirement so foreign-built vessels can qualify if they are U.S.-owned, U.S.-flagged, and U.S.-crewed.
It could also create a transparent waiver system for Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and Puerto Rico during emergencies, natural disasters, or major supply disruptions, while continuing to protect military and emergency shipments.
For Hawaiʻi, transportation policy is not abstract. It directly affects the price of groceries, housing, fuel, medicine, and other necessities. Even modest reductions in shipping costs could help ease financial pressure on local families.
Congress should begin a serious bipartisan review of the Jones Act’s build requirement. Thoughtful modernization can preserve national security, support American workers, strengthen our maritime industry, and help reduce the cost-of-living burden on Hawaiʻi’s families.
Dr. Inam U. Rahman, M.D. is a physician, educator, small business owner, and community advocate in Hawaiʻi.
