Ground Breaking Held for New Cargo Facilities at Hilo International Airport

HILO — State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials broke ground today on a new Hold Cargo and Light Industrial Building at the Hilo International Airport.  The new 60,000 square-foot, steel-framed cargo building will be used to accommodate the delivery and transport of goods into Hilo.  Also included in this project will be the construction of a 50,000 square-yard apron and taxiways designed to support wide-body cargo aircraft.

The total cost for this two-phase project is approximately $30 million.  Phase I will include construction of the air carrier apron at a cost of $15 million, $10 million of which is federally-funded.  The second phase will construct the cargo building and a parking lot at a cost of $15 million in state airport funds. 

When completed, the new cargo building will be closer to the main terminal and consolidate all cargo operations under one roof, increasing the efficiency of airline operations.  The existing cargo facility will then be utilized as the future heliport.  Construction of both project phases by contractor Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. is anticipated for completion in November 2011.