First Mercer Truck in Hawaii

     Husband & wife team, Ed and Diane Lake, have been granted the authority to drive their truck in all 50 states. Yes, that’s right, even Hawaii. The couple, leased to Mercer Transportation, has been hauling their rig in paradise for the last twelve months. In addition to their recent stint in Hawaii, this pioneering duo was also one of the first Mercer trucks to run in Alaska.
     How did they pull off such a sweet deal? “We were just in the right place at the right time, I guess,” answers Ed. During their 24 years at Mercer, they had gained experience on the west coast, hauling military Strikers for General Dynamics. Since it is rare to find appropriately equipped commercial drivers in Hawaii with government clearance, General Dynamics gave the Lakes the opportunity to haul the same freight in Honolulu. It was an offer they could not refuse. They agreed to make a commitment to drive in Hawaii, expecting to only be away for two or three months. As the first Mercer truck in Hawaii, they had to acquire all of their own required paperwork to secure authority. Then, they shipped their truck and trailer across the sea and braced themselves for a trucking experience unknown to most long-haul owner operators. “It was kind of exciting,” remembers Ed, “Just the uncertainty of not knowing what we were going to be confronted with.”
     In Honolulu, they drove a 21-mile dedicated route from Matson’s Pier to Scoffield Barrings. The Lakes and their big rig became quite a novelty on the island. With a circumference of only 92 miles, Honolulu’s freight is only hauled by day cabs. “At first, it was hard to get used to driving just 42 miles each day,” said Diane. “Instead of truck stops, we’d have to stop at regular gas stations, where there would just be one little diesel pump.” In addition to the short days and lack of fueling stations, the Lakes found that the DOT in Hawaii did not require that the drivers maintain log books. Although Mercer still required that they kept daily logs, the Lake’s short route proved to be a relaxing, low maintenance change from the trucking they were used to. 
      In the couple’s free time, they visited botanical gardens, beaches and the Polynesian Culture Center. Unlike the throngs of tourists who visit the islands every year, the Lakes were also able to explore the everyday life and culture of Hawaii. “We made lots of friends. Hawaii is so laid back. The people really welcomed us into their lives. We were invited to weddings and birthdays,” says Diane.
     Months passed, and what seemed to have started as a brief adventure turned into a year-long contract. Reflecting on their trip, Diane explains, “It was a really neat experience to meet new people and discover a different way of life. The scenery was just beautiful—there was a rainbow everyday!”
     At Mercer, they have become somewhat of a legend … they were offered the load of a lifetime in a tropical paradise. When asked about the prospect of returning to the Big Island, Ed smiles and assertively exclaims, “We’d do it again, without a doubt!”

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