Gliding into Hilo Bay in the early dawn of April 23, 1882 was the three-masted schooner Emma Claudina, 13 days out of San Francisco. This sailing launched the beginning of Matson's service. By 1886, with sugar production in Hawaii climbing to 100,000 ton crop annually, the Islands economy begins to grow. Captain Matson is assured eastbound hauls of sugar, with westbound voyages filled with machinery and building materials.
