Honolulu is now home to Amazon's newest and first delivery station in Hawaii, a $200 million venture promising to speed up shipping times for local customers and support around 1,000 local businesses with logistics services. The delivery station, known as DHI2, is anticipated to handle between 300,000 to 400,000 packages weekly, according to information from KHON2. This development marks a significant upgrade from previous delivery standards in the state, aiming to align closer with the two-day delivery benchmark set by Amazon on the mainland.
Stephanie Kalili, Amazon's Senior Station Manager, in a statement obtained by Pacific Business News, revealed that the Honolulu delivery station is not just another warehouse but a three-story, one-of-a-kind facility, sprawling across 595,000 square feet, including an enhanced parking area for employees, and it's intended to open 500 jobs by the end of this year and additional 300 to 400 jobs through its delivery service partner program, which are already recruiting staff.
The initial projection for the delivery station's opening was set for April; however, the launch was deferred to accommodate the integration of cutting-edge technology and efficient packaging systems aimed at improving the ergonomic process for associates handling packages, as confirmed by an Amazon spokesperson through Pacific Business News. With the operational commencement scheduled for August 6, Kalili said that job seekers should stay tuned, as new positions are listed every Friday.
Amazon's deepening roots in the Hawaiian business ecosystem are evidenced by the collaboration with approximately 1,500 local businesses, intending to aid them in seamlessly delivering their products, according to a statement made by Kalili to Pacific Business News, while a company spokesperson highlighted that a significant portion of goods sold on Amazon comes from small or medium-sized businesses. Moreover, the delivery station is adorned with over 3,000 square feet of murals created by Solomon Enos, a selection made by Native Hawaiian employees at Amazon, who voted for his artistry from among several local artists.
