[citation needed] The Klahowya served nearly all of her career on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run before being moved to the San Juans to replace her sister ship, MV Evergreen State, which was to be retired.

She was moved to the Inter-Island route on June 30, 2014,[3][better source needed] and remained there until her retirement on January 10, 2017.

[4] On August 16, 2024, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced that the decommissioned Elwha and Klahowya would be sold for $100,000 each to Ecuadorian businessman Nelson Armas.

The ferries would be scrapped and recycled in a "clean [and] green" facility in Ecuador after being towed from Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island.

[6][7] The crew on the tugboat were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on August 30 after their work visas had expired.