New Economy Lot To Open And Grace Period For Parking Implemented As Statewide Parking Rates Increase
July 31, 2009 -- The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising air travelers of new parking rates at Hawaii airports throughout the state. This will be the first parking rate increase at Hawaii airports since 1993 and it aims to offset the capital costs of parking improvements under the Airports Modernization Plan.
HONOLULU — The state Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising air travelers of new parking rates at Hawaii airports throughout the state. This will be the first parking rate increase at Hawaii airports since 1993 and it aims to offset the capital costs of parking improvements under the Airports Modernization Plan.
Starting Monday, August 17, 2009, daily parking rates at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) will increase from $10 to $13, while rates on neighbor island airports, including Kona (KOA), Hilo (ITO), Lihue (LIH), and Kahului (OGG), will increase from $7 to $9 per day.
“We realize any increase in the price for parking is difficult, but this increase is necessary to continue building for the future and improving the level of service to the traveling public,” says Brian Sekiguchi, deputy director of airports. “We are making additional accommodations and offering alternatives to help offset this cost to the traveling public."
The DOT is providing a new economy parking lot (Lot J) at HNL, which is located between the new parking structure and the main terminal parking structure, and is scheduled to open today, Friday, July 31. The daily rate will remain at $10 a day with a two-day minimum, giving airport users a lower cost alternative with an automated credit card payment option.
The DOT will also implement a grace period at all state airports, allowing travelers to park at airport parking facilities for free for the first 15 minutes. Coupled with airport cell phone lots, this will give the traveling public another option when dropping off or picking up friends and families at the airport.
From fiscal years 2007 to 2009, $343.6 million has been invested in various airport modernization projects, including a new air conditioning system at HNL, security enhancements and a new sterile corridor at the HNL International Terminal, currently under construction. Between fiscal years 2007 and 2010, the state will have invested approximately $67.3 million in parking improvements alone, including a new parking structure at HNL (adding 1,800 spaces), three new surface lots at Kona (adding 880 spaces), one new surface lot at Kahului (adding 1800 spaces), and lot expansions at Hilo (adding 450 spaces) and Lihue (adding 786 spaces)—for a statewide total of 5,716 new airport parking spaces.
In a sample of fifteen international airports from Los Angeles to Palm Beach, Honolulu International Airport’s $10 daily rate was the least expensive (see figure). Additionally, HNL also went the longest period of time—12 years—without a rate increase.
