Deputy Director Message

Message from our Deputy Director By: Ross Higashi

As the busy holiday travel season is winding down, I would like to begin with a huge mahalo to our airport employees who sacrificed their on-airport parking stalls in order to accommodate the parking congestion at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

The parking lot pinch has become more pronounced with the addition of more neighbor island flights, construction efforts and the growing popularity for electric vehicles. Your contributions have not gone unnoticed.

There are big things happening in the Airports Division in 2020, including addressing two of the biggest complaints at the airport, which were regarding Wi-Fi and restrooms.

I am happy to report the Wi-Fi at HNL was recently ranked the fastest of any airport in the country!

People are able to get free and unlimited Wi-Fi coverage throughout the airport.

Regarding the number two complaint, renovations have been made to the restrooms in the Ewa and Diamond Head concourses, and work is currently underway to improve 52 sets of restrooms throughout Terminal 2 at HNL. It is a project we are all relieved is getting done.

There is tremendous progress on the modernization projects happening around the state. The Mauka Concourse and the Consolidated Car Rent-A-Center (CONRAC) projects at HNL are off the ground and will add efficiency and convenience to the traveling public. The Mauka Concourse is projected to be completed in a year and will add much needed gates and a new TSA checkpoint.

The HNL CONRAC will house all the major rental car companies in one central location and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2021.

The CONRAC at Kahului Airport (OGG) opened for business in May 2019 on time and on budget.

It features an electric tram to deliver customers to and from the terminal to the rental car counters and has been recognized for its energy and environmental design.

Enclosure of the exterior walkways from gates 1-15 will be starting in July 2020 to increase hold room and restroom capacity. Estimated completion is December 2021.

Additional restroom improvements continue and should be completed by December 2020.