Matson signed an agreement with APL for a strategic alliance for a Guam service in 1995 which includes Matson's purchase of six APL ships and certain APL-owned assets in Guam for approximately $164 million. The six ships sold to Matson include three C-9 class vessels, which are the largest and most modern American-built vessels presently in the foreign trades and three C-8-class vessels. The C-9 vessels are named the Mahimahi, Manoa and Mokihana and the C-8 vessels are named Lihue, Ewa and Chief Gadao.
