Over the past couple of years, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has come under scrutiny through a series of articles in print, on air, and online, have focused on the lack of progress on the modernization at HNL; along with the shoddy construction of the new Hawaiian Airlines Cargo Building and Hangar, and the discrepancies with the contractors involved. Because of the Hawaiian Airlines complex delays, the old Aloha Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines T-Hangar cannot be torn down, and the work on the Mauka Extension on the Hawaiian Airlines Terminal cannot begin.
During the last years of her governorship (2001-2008), Linda Lingle had received approval for a $2.3B / 12-year plan to modernize the major airports in the state. Governor Lingle's successor, Neil Abercrombie, also wanted the state to push forward with modernization. He acknowledged the fact that our airports are the first and last impressions that tourist will see of Hawai‘i. Somewhere along the way, Governor Abercrombie changed his mind, and limited the scope of the modernization project. Through bureaucracy and mismanagement at HDOT, only a portion of the modernization projects have been completed.
Hawaiian Airlines took matters into its own hands, and took over construction completion of its new hangar and cargo center. The airline paid the remainder of the construction costs, estimated at over $100 million, to fix the shoddy construction work of the contractor that won the state's low-bid procurement system. The airline is looking toward completion of its facilities by the end of this year.
One of the projects that were key to the modernization of HNL, was the new Commuter Terminal, which was to have been built east of Gate 6, on part of the North Ramp. Had this new complex been completed, the existing Commuter Terminal would be torn down, to make way for the Mauka Extension of the Inter-Island Terminal, in which Hawaiian Airlines would move their complete operations to that part of the airport. At the time the new terminal was proposed, there were four airlines using the existing Commuter Terminal: Island Air, go! (operated by Mesa Airlines), Mokulele Airlines, and Pacific Wings. Currently, only Island Air and Mokulele Airlines remain in business. When he owned Island Air, former owner (now a minority stakeholder) Larry Ellison, wanted changes in the design of the new complex, which caused a conflict between him and HDOT. Eventually, Ellison would nix the move to the new terminal. Months later, HDOT Director Ford Fuchigami canceled the project unilaterally, even though Island Air underwent an ownership change. With this move, the Mauka Extension is put on hold, which will add to congestion at peak periods. There has been reports of moving Island Air and Mokulele around HNL, so the extension can proceed. However, gate space in the main terminal is at a premium. The dust cover that was removed after the cancellation, re-appeared at the end of November 2017, as construction will re-start with Mokulele being the sole tenant, but this Commuter Terminal will be temporary, as the new Diamond Head Concourse will be in that location.
HDOT will be modifying Gates 29 and 34 to accommodate the Airbus A380, as All Nippon Airways has pledged to inaugurate super jumbo service between NRT and HNL in 2019. It's part of a $30 million upgrade package.
What has been completed so far? Hawaiian Airlines' Charles Elliott Maintenance and Cargo Facility, Aloha Air Cargo's Hangar and Cargo Center, the ‘Ewa hardstands on the Hickam side of HNL. The widening of Taxiways G and L, north of A, to allow Hawaiian Airlines' A330-200s to taxi to the proposed new terminal. Some infrastructure projects have been completed as well.
Each state-owned and operated airports have their share of needed repairs. The Kalaeloa Airport, which was designated to be the general aviation relief airport, has its share of modernization needs. Except for the few T-Hangars on the west end, former Naval Air Station Barbers Point field looks relatively untouched after the US Navy handed the base over to the state. The newly-named Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is under going a $75 million modernization, which will simplify passengers on connecting flights between the inter-island section and the overseas section, but not increase holdroom space that dates to original construction in 1970. That portion of needed improvements at Kona will not happen until Phase II of the Kona Terminal Modernization project as yet still unfunded or unscheduled. The Kahului Airport is in need for expansions for both runways. Hilo and Līhu‘e are also both in need of terminal renovations.
*** Opinion / Editorial ***
All of the major airports in Hawai‘i need to be modernized. Applying band-aid fixes to major issues will not solve the problems each airport faces. The proposed Airport Authority board is much needed. With the state legislature killing the bill to create the Airport Authority in the 2017 legislative session, it will set back further renovations, as the bureaucratic mess of having HDOT having to deal with several state agencies to get things done, only makes renovations obsolete, and increases costs. Similar to the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in Southern California, the Airport Authority board would oversee operation all Hawai‘i airports, as well as implementing the completion of the long, overdue modernization project; there are too many state agencies and bureaucracies that have their hands in the operation of the airports, and the board will resolve that issue. HDOT already admits they have a hard time managing the airports they are in charge of, therefore, it should relinquish its power to a board that can properly manage the airports. Current HDOT higher-ups must not be named to this proposed authority due to the on-going issues.
For a world-class tourist destination, as former Governor Abercrombie said, "our airports are the first and last impressions left in the minds of tourists." Yet, he was the very one to cut funding for the modernization. Currently, each facility is in dire need of modernization. The gate areas are in need of better lighting, and better types of windows. The seating, fixtures and decor all need modernization as well.
The renaming of Honolulu International Airport to the Daniel K Inouye International Airport is ill-timed, as the $21M spent to renovate the signage, and to re-brand the airport could have been better spent. It's interesting that there was no attention brought about by the local news outlets of the House Resolution for the renaming. We were informed of this change, via social media, as a pilot posted the FAA chart noting the name change. This move also appears to be politically-motivated by the hushed rollout of the renaming. The late senator was known to disapprove to the posthumous naming of places in his honor. And we are grateful for the late Senator Inouye's work in helping Hawai‘i's tourism and transportation industries.
Regarding the A380 gates, it does not make sense to put the A380 gates only on the ‘Ewa Concourse. Gate 9's footprint is slightly larger than Gate 29s, and would make more sense to have one A380 gate on the Diamond Head Concourse, especially with ANA's operations on that side of HNL. Gate 29 is already used by Qantas when they need to make A380 tech stops or medical diversions between Australia and the continental US. Is this investment to modify the third floors to install Jetways for the A380's upper deck a wise thing? ANA will be receiving three super jumbos as part of its investment in Skymark Airlines', and only plan to use it on the NRT-HNL route. No other airline is planning to start A380 service to HNL. What will happen if ANA decides to downguage the A380 service to a 777-300ER? The upper deck Jetway will be useless, except for Qantas emergency stopovers.
With the planned service by Southwest Airlines for both trans-Pacific and inter-island flights, there may not be enough gates to handle their traffic, especially at the midday peak period. The airline will probably need to establish a maintenance base to service their 737-800s and MAX 8s, and hold reserve aircraft. The "band-aid" approach is to convert Hardstands 4 and 5 to four gates for Southwest, which passengers will board via stairs or ramps. They will have ground level gates and covered walkways until the boarding area.
Another issue is law enforcement. The Hawaii State Sheriff's Department needs to be present at ALL of the state's airports, big and small. Much attention has been brought up with recent events concerning the actions of Securitas Airport Police and security guards at HNL. Contracting out to a private security firm to carry out some police-type duties is not seen at any of the major airports in the US, and Hawai‘i's airports should be no different. If anything, Securitas should be relegated to curb control on the arrival pickup and departure drop-off areas. HDOT, which has control over the Sheriff's deputies at HNL, has even proposed making up a new law enforcement agency just for the airports, or handing everything over to Securitas. We feel that this would be a waste of taxpayer money, a waste of time, and a slap in the face of law enforcement agencies.
The Consolidated Rental Car (CONRAC) Facility, east of the main parking structure, should have been built off-site, to allow another parking structure for more passenger parking stalls. HNL is the only airport in the state system to have an on-site CONRAC.
HDOT, also in their infinite lack of wisdom, decided to rename HNL's terminal, gates, and baggage claims. The change, that took effect on June 1, 2018, assigned terminal alphabetical codes, the gates alpha-numeric codes, and baggage claims numeric codes. HDOT has not revealed what this change will cost taxpayers and airlines, as new signage around HNL will have to be installed, and gate guidelines on the flight line will need to be repainted. HDOT's reason behind the move was to bring it closer to other airports that the airlines serving HNL. HNL is does not have the size to warrant this move, and funds used could have been better spent on improving the facility.
After the Diamond Head Commuter Terminal is built, the old t-hangars east of United Cargo should be torn down, and the HDOT Base Yard should be moved off-site as well; that move could further extend the North Ramp Hardstands, and put an additional 2-3 parking spots depending on the size of the airliner.
On the south side of HNL, the ramp area south of the Air Service Hawaii Makai Hangar should be hardened to allow parking of two airliners up to 155 feet in length, or a variety of business jets. HNL should also reclaim some of the vacant land fronting that ramp area to increase the depth of the stands by at least 50 feet. Also, the adjacent lot currently being used for FedEx employee parking should be paved over for general aviation and business jet transient parking to relocate the stalls lost.
Also, other employee parking lots should be built off-site instead of using AOA space on the south side of the airport.
At JRF, the old US Navy P-3C T-Hangars on the east end were leased out the University of Hawai‘i, that needs to be taken back. That area could be transformed into a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for narrow-body airliners. If the original concrete hangars are to stay, they need fresh coats of paint. The ramp, taxiways, and runways need repaving on the asphalt sections. HDOT has let JRF fall into disrepair on so many levels. The area south of Runway 11/29, and west of the General Aviation hangars needs to be reclaimed for airport use, and not be leased to a trucking company's operation or other non-aviation businesses.
For OGG, both runways need to be lengthened to allow dual runway operations, as inter-island flights would use Runway 5/23, and overseas flights would use Runway 2/20. We could foresee at least one non-stop flight from Japan, if Runway 2/20 is extended to the proposed 9,000 feet. Both Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines have previously lobbied for the runway extension. There is a small, but vocal community on Maui that have been the ones pushing back on this issue.
For both ITO and LIH, the main terminal, the walkway, and gate areas are in need of major facelifts.
