New International Arrivals Corridor Opening at Honolulu International Airport

HONOLULU –State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials and Marsha Wienert, State Tourism Liaison, dedicated the first phase of the new International Arrivals Corridor at the Honolulu International Airport today. It will be open to passengers tomorrow, October 15, 2009.

The corridor, located on the third level of the ‘Ewa Concourse, will provide an easy, secure route to the Federal Inspection Services area for arriving international passengers who deplane at Gates 26 through 34.

The enclosed, air-conditioned International Arrivals Corridor has glass walls on one side so visitors will be able to see out toward Diamond Head, and is decorated on the other side with artwork from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. There are over 40 pieces of art by Hawaii artists, including hand-woven banners which were specifically commissioned for the airport and hung in the Ewa Concourse in the 1970s. The banners have been cleaned and restored so they can be enjoyed by passengers in the Ewa Concourse. In addition to the banners, the artwork also includes watercolors, photographs and woodcut prints with local themes.

“Our state airports provide visitors with their first and last impressions of our islands,” said DOT director Brennon Morioka. “That’s why it’s important to invest in projects like this, which improve and modernize our airport facilities and enhance the overall experience for visitors and residents.”

The International Arrivals Corridor will be approximately 2,100 feet long with a series of three autowalk systems which will help passengers get to the Federal Inspection Services area with more comfort and ease and will also decrease the need for Wiki Wiki buses in these areas. 

“The new Corridor will provide a nice welcome experience for our international guests,” said state airports deputy director Brian Sekiguchi. “We’re working to make the passengers' experience through Customs and the rest of our airport as pleasant as possible, while maintaining the highest level of safety and security."

This is the first of six phases, with completion of the last phase scheduled for the end of 2010.  The cost of constructing this first phase is $13.2 million. Construction of the entire project will cost $37 million, 75 percent of which is federally funded.

The International Arrivals Corridor is part of the 12-year, $2.3 billion Airports Modernization Program to upgrade Hawai‘i’s airports.  Developed and launched in 2006 in conjunction with the Airlines Committee of Hawai‘i and other airport and visitor industry partners, the comprehensive plan involves implementing projects to improve passenger service, increase security and operational efficiencies, increase the airports’ capacity and enhance convenience. 

Participants in today’s dedication ceremony included (from left to right): State Budget and Finance Director, Georgina Kawamura; Kahu Kelekona Bishaw; Lance Inouye, President of Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd.; DOT Director, Brennon Morioka