Goals of the Program
The multi-year Hawaii Airports Modernization Program will reposition our aging airports to accommodate the increasing volume of air traffic, both commercial and private, efficiently meet heightened security requirements, and improve the passenger experience.
Along with functionality and operational efficiency, the Airports Modernization Program also seeks to introduce, maintain and enhance environmental, social and cultural elements that can set Hawaii’s airports apart from facilities elsewhere, and to design projects to be environmentally sustainable. For example, Kona International Airport at Ke`ahole will be the first airport in the world to be cooled by deep ocean water. Once the system is proven, it will be added to other state airports.
Modernization projects are quickly improving operational efficiency, security and passenger convenience across the system. Subsequent work will add capacity to airports to meet projected demand. The program was developed by the State of Hawaii in close consultation with the Airlines Committee of Hawaii (ACH); and with the generous input from the community, will ultimately reflect a distinctly “Hawaiian sense of place.”
Honolulu International Airport – Oahu
As part of the larger statewide $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Program, the first phase of the HNL Modernization Program is a $1.7 billion, multi-year effort to transform Honolulu International Airport into a distinctive, functional airport, worthy of a first class visitor destination, to meet the growing needs of residents and visitors alike.
The modernization program will benefit the traveler and Hawaii by establishing HNL as a modern, distinctly “Hawaiian” airport, offering an improved travel experience and increased safety, efficiency, and capacity. Getting to and from the airport and moving around once you arrive will be much easier, allowing travelers to focus on their destination rather than the difficulty of their journey.
The program is designed to substantially expand the airport’s passenger capacity and replace, upgrade and rehabilitate infrastructure throughout the facility. Our goal is to restore Honolulu International Airport to world-class status in travelers’ experience, security and efficiency, while enhancing those characteristics that are unmistakably Hawaii.
Kahului Airport – Maui
Kahului Airport is our second busiest airport, accommodating about 17% of the state’s air traffic, but it is straining under the load. Additional gate and holding room space is urgently needed to adequately serve the higher frequency of flights through each gate and the increasing number and frequency of overseas flights, which utilize high capacity aircraft. The Modernization Program at Kahului focuses on expanding capacity for passenger comfort and ease of travel.
Kona International Airport – Hawaii
Kona International Airport now handles about 9% of air traffic in Hawaii, with direct flights from the mainland, Canada, and Japan. However, Kona Airport was originally designed primarily for inter-island operations. Therefore, major improvements are needed to accommodate the current and future mix of domestic, overseas, international, inter-island, commuter and general aviation activities.
Hilo International Airport – Hawaii
Hilo generally has adequate airfield and terminal capacity to accommodate forecast demands and needs, but a number of maintenance and improvement projects are needed. When completed, Hilo International Airport will be modernized in terms of having better energy efficient equipment and overall passenger comfort experience.
The modernization effort at Hilo International Airport also includes the installation of equipment to monitor aircraft noise at six sites close to the airport to help determine needed mitigation measures, as well as establishment of the Keaukaha Subdivision Noise Attenuation Pilot Project to demonstrate the effectiveness of sound attenuation treatment to homes adjacent to the Hilo International Airport.
Lihue Airport – Kauai
Lihue Airport is on the move with a program to meet Kauai’s growing needs. As with Honolulu and Kahului, Lihue is struggling to accommodate vastly increased security demands and direct flights from the mainland. Facilities throughout the airport need to be replaced or upgraded; and the entire Terminal Building needs to be expanded to accommodate higher capacity demands.
Small Airports
We are moving ahead with modernization of all our major airports. But we are not neglecting our smaller airports, either. Together, they serve about 1.5 percent of the air traffic in the state.
Molokai Airport has two projects in design:
- The first will provide airfield improvements to correct grading and drainage deficiencies.
- The second project will construct a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Station to replace the current, temporary facility.
- We are also building a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Station at Kalaupapa airport on Molokai.
Lanai Airport :
- A new general aviation apron was dedicated in October 2009. It will be used for parking private aircraft and was funded by the FAA and Castle & Cooke.
- A second project on Lanai will construct a new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting station to replace the existing facility.
A number of projects were completed at Waimea-Kohala:
- Repaired and upgraded the Automated Weather Observing System, which measures, collects and distributes weather data to meteorologists, pilots and flight dispatchers to facilitate takeoffs and landings at the airport.
- Renovated the airport’s 30-year-old lighting system.
The remote Upolu Airport is located at the north end of the Island of Hawaii. At Upolu – airfield runway repairs have been completed following the 2006 earthquake.
