 "Helen Whittier" had returned to intercoastal service by early 1934 when "The New York Times" reported that she had sailed from San Francisco on 23 March and arrived at New York on 25 April.In June that same year, "Helen Whittier" was one of the Matson ships added to carry food cargo to Hawaii.Shipments of food from the mainland—which accounted for up to 90% of Hawaii's needs—had been curtailed as a coastwise strike had affected all ports except Los Angeles.