Hawaii Pilots Association

The Hawaii Pilots Association (HPA) is the specialized maritime organization tasked with ensuring safe ship navigation across the Hawaiian archipelago. Established in 1978, the association operates a highly trained, specialized team of master mariners who assume temporary navigation command of incoming and outgoing ocean vessels. Their 24/7/365 core operations involve executing high-risk shipboard transfers to guide container ships, bulkers, oil tankers, and cruise liners through treacherous coastal swells across seven major island ports.