HONOLULU, HI—The days of long shipping waits in Hawaiʻi are coming to an end for many residents. Amazon has successfully launched an additional dedicated cargo flight to Oʻahu, allowing the e-commerce giant to officially begin offering next-day delivery for addresses across the island.
The major logistics upgrade, which began rolling out in late September 2025, is a significant enhancement to Amazon’s service in the state, which has historically suffered from multi-week shipping times due to its remote location.
The Details: A Later Takeoff is Key
The crucial change enabling the next-day service is the addition of a third daily freighter flight departing from the continental U.S. at a later time.
- Service Location: The next-day service currently targets addresses on Oʻahu.
- Total Flights: Amazon now utilizes an average of three dedicated cargo flights daily to serve Oʻahu.
- The Logistical Advantage: The later departure time on the mainland allows Amazon to extend the cutoff window for orders, ensuring packages can still be processed and loaded to meet the next-day delivery promise upon arrival in Hawaiʻi.
- Prioritization: Packages destined for the next-day delivery service are prioritized both at the origin fulfillment centers and at the Honolulu delivery station.
This expansion comes just over a year after Amazon opened its delivery station near Honolulu Harbor, which currently employs around 500 people. According to Stephanie Kalili, Amazon’s site leader at the Honolulu facility, the operation has exceeded expectations, allowing the company to expand faster than anticipated.
Beyond Packages: A Boost for Local Trade
The addition of the cargo flight capacity is also creating new opportunities for local businesses:
- Reverse Logistics: The planes that deliver goods to the islands often return to the mainland empty. Amazon has started filling some of this capacity by partnering with local agricultural companies, such as Maui Gold Pineapple, to transport perishable products quickly and cost-effectively to the continental U.S.
- Economic Impact: This initiative slashes freight costs and shipping times for local growers and businesses, helping to diversify the Hawaiʻian economy beyond tourism.
Conclusion
The launch of the new dedicated cargo flight and the resulting next-day delivery option for Oʻahu residents mark a major investment by Amazon in the Hawaiʻi market. By optimizing its air cargo logistics, Amazon is addressing a long-standing pain point for island consumers and simultaneously creating a new, affordable shipping pathway for local agricultural exports back to the mainland.
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Disclaimer
The next-day delivery service is currently available only for addresses on Oʻahu and applies to select items shipped from the mainland. Service availability, eligibility, and speed are subject to change based on Amazon’s fulfillment network operations. Readers should consult the official Amazon website for the most current shipping times and service availability in their zip code.
Official Website Links:
- Amazon Customer Service/Help: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html
- Amazon Air Cargo (Business Services): https://www.amazonaircargo.com/
- Hawaiian Airlines (Amazon Partner): https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/
