The design of the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport is 70 percent in common with the Hawaii Superferries, both built by Austal USA.

[3] The vessel featured environmentally friendly technologies including non-toxic bottom paint, zero wastewater discharge and clean diesel engines.

[6] In January 2010, the United States Maritime Administration announced that Huakai and Alakai would be used to assist with relief in the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

[9] On January 27, 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration transferred two high speed vessels, Huakai and Alakai, to the U.S. Navy under the Defense Authorization Act of 2012.

[12] Guam was modified to replace the chartered Westpac Express in Okinawa in March 2013,[clarification needed] and Puerto Rico remained laid up until 2016.