Airports

Unveiling a Brand New Kona FIS Facility

By: Jai Cunningham

A blessing ceremony was given to a brand new $58.7 million U.S. Customs Border Protection’s (CBP) permanent Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) Oct. 19.

Governor David Ige was present, greeting the small crowd and expressing his gratitude to see the completion of the FIS ahead of schedule and what it means to the Hawaii economy.

“The FIS is more than just a new building. It fulfills one of my top priorities to establish a second Federal Inspection Service to generate jobs and income statewide,” said Ige.

Both Director Jade Butay and Airports Division Deputy Director Ross Higashi were also at the blessing.

The FIS serves as a secondary destination for overseas travelers.

It also builds in much needed redundancy in case any emergency arises at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). “The Hawaii Department of Transportation is tasked with keeping the vital transportation lifelines of the state operational. Part of our mission is also ensuring the resilience of our air routes,” said Butay.

The new facility came in under budget. The 32,700 sq. ft. FIS took a little more than two years to complete.

There is also a new 7,000 sq. ft. holdroom which will improve the international passenger experience.

And with international flights expected to resume in the coming months, Kona could once again become a popular destination.

“Pre-pandemic international travel was bringing in $112 million dollars to Hawaii Island, which meant around $14 million in tax revenue,” said Higashi.

The FIS is part of a deal struck with CBP back in 2016. DOT was asked to build a permanent building within five years by the end of 2021.

Airports

Homecoming Welcome for a Brave Firefighter

By: Max Matias

It’s a homecoming fit for a hero.

Pahala volunteer firefighter Lizzy Stabo is finally returning home from her treatment after a nearly two-month stay at the Straub Medical Center in Oahu.

Stabo was injured in the Ka’u fires and suffered circumferential second degree burns to the lower half of her body from the navel down through her feet.

Hawaii County offices of Mayor Mitch Roth and the Fire Chief Kazuo Todd have requested KOA’s ARFF support to welcome her back as she begins her long road to recovery.

A water lei was performed by the ARFF trucks over Stabo’s plane when it taxied into the gate.

Several government agencies greeted her and posed with shakas, wishing her a speedy recovery. Local news coverage about Stabo can be found here.

KONA FIS continued from page 7

Prior to construction, the FIS was a huge tent away from the main terminals. Passengers had to trek to get to the medians where car rental shuttle pick ups were.

The new facility will use state-of-the-art facial recognition equipment as part of the CBP Simplified Arrival Program.

And it has been designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council criteria for the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Silver certification.

Airports

Heroes Among Us: Saving a Life

By: Cy Duvauchelle

Recently, a traveler had a heart attack at the Kona airport – quick thinking by Ben Utrera of SAS and Helen Kia of Hawaiian Airlines saved this traveler’s life.

Assisting Ben and Helen’s effort was Adam McMahon of Allied Security – these three were then supported by a team of Airport Firefighters.

In a debrief with medical professionals reviewing the data recorded by the AED device used during this event – according to the analyst things went very well.

The stats shared – if you experience a heart attack similar to this case your chances for survival at the airport is 70% - if you were at the beach – your chances of survival is 10%.

From left: Airport Firefighter Justin Santana, Airport Firefighter Recruit Charles Akao, Investigator Steven Chung-Hoon, Allied Universal Manager Llewellyn Fukui , LEO Adam McMahon, Ben Utrera, ADM Chauncey Wong Yuen, Airport Fire Capt. Darryl Wise and Airport Fire Lt. Bart Gunderson

Hats off, high-fives, fist bumps, double handshakes, hugs to these awesome human beings.

KHON also covered the story. Click here to read their article.

In Case You Missed It...

By: Jai Cunningham

The parachutes will continue to open above the Dillingham Airfield (also known as Kawaihapai) until at least July 5, 2024 after the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) revoked its intent to terminate the lease for the airfield.

HDOT continues discussions with the U.S. Army and airfield tenant and all involved were happy with the news in late September.

Members from the HDOT, U.S. Army, Congress, Executive Office, Legislature, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA), tenants and community members have been meeting every few weeks for the past nine months as a collaborative effort to help save the airfield. Stay tuned!