Governor Lingle Releases $37 Million for Honolulu International Airport Modernization

Governor Linda Lingle has released $36,902,000 as part of the State’s continuing efforts to modernize Hawai‘i’s airports.  The funds will be used for the Terminal Modernization Program at Honolulu International Airport (HNL), including site preparation work for a new Mauka Concourse which will be located mauka of the existing Interisland Terminal. 

“The state Department of Transportation has been working closely with the Airlines Committee of Hawai‘i and other airport and visitor industry partners to focus on ensuring our airports are modern, efficient, passenger-friendly and secure,” said Governor Lingle.  “The Terminal Modernization Program at Honolulu International Airport, the state’s busiest airport, is aimed at creating operational efficiencies, meeting future travel demands and increasing the level of satisfaction for our residents and visitors.” 

The Terminal Modernization Program is a comprehensive plan to replace, modernize and expand concourses and terminal facilities at HNL.  The program is a multi-tiered, phased design and construction program that includes an extension of the mauka end of the Interisland Terminal to provide additional gates in order to meet increased air travel demands forecasted for the future.   

Of the funds released by the Governor, $18,820,000 will be used for site preparation work for the Mauka Concourse.  The work will include the relocation of utilities in the construction area; the demolition of ground-level Parking Lot B and terminal landside roadways; building remediation to mitigate hazardous building materials that may be encountered during the demolition of the existing commuter terminal building; and modifications to the roadways and the intersection at Aolele Street and the Post Office.  The site preparation work will allow airside operations to continue unimpeded, while clearing a portion of the future construction site.    

In addition, $3,082,000 will be used to relocate ticketing and passenger handling functions for go!/Mokulele and Island Air from the Commuter Terminal to the Interisland Terminal.  The relocation is necessary because the existing Commuter Terminal is slated to be demolished in order to clear the site for the Mauka Concourse.    

The Mauka Concourse extension, which will connect to the Interisland Terminal, will accommodate six wide-body or 12 narrow-body aircraft, or various combinations of each. It will include modifications to the existing aircraft aprons, new aprons to accommodate new aircraft parking, modifications to the existing hydrant fueling system, new passenger loading gates, passenger hold rooms and circulation areas, concessions, restrooms and information kiosks.  It is the first major concourse expansion at Honolulu International Airport in 15 years.  Construction on the Mauka Concourse is expected to begin in 2011 and be completed in 2013. 

The Governor also released $15 million to finance a portion of the master architectural services for the Terminal Modernization Program.  The master architect will be responsible for developing the overall design as well as establishing the design guidelines, standards and programmatic design requirements for each of the diverse project components.  In order to provide continuity between the old and new terminal facilities, the master architect will prioritize improvements to the existing terminals and make recommendations on how to best modernize these facilities.    

In March 2006, the Lingle-Aiona Administration launched a comprehensive plan to upgrade major airports on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island.  The $2.3 billion, 12-year Airports Modernization Plan was developed in conjunction with the Airlines Committee of Hawai‘i and other airport and visitor industry partners.    

Information on the Airports Modernization Program, including progress of projects at various airports statewide can be found at: www.hawaiiairportsmodernization.com.

For more information, contact:

Brennon Morioka

Director, Dept. of Transportation

Phone: (808) 587-2150

Lenny Klompus

Senior Advisor – Communications

Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang

Chief of Media Relations

Phone: (808) 586-0043