The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is planning a massive overhaul of its airport system, outlining a $6.9 billion investment to modernize terminals, airfields and support critical facilities.
The projects included as part of the nearly $7 billion capital improvement portfolio represent an unprecedented effort to bring Hawai’i’s airport system into the modern age, advancing essential projects to improve safety, maximize efficiency and elevate the customer experience. The capital improvement project breakdown includes:
- $4.02 billion in terminal improvements.
- $1.8 billion in airfield work.
- $1.04 billion in ancillary infrastructure.
All projects will be funded exclusively from airport user fees, federal grants, airport revenue bonds and passenger facility charges, requiring no state general funds or taxes. The state has already begun work on several cornerstone projects, supported by a record-breaking $849 million bond issuance in 2025. Roughly $600 million from those bonds will help repair runways, renovate terminals, improve security and build facilities.
One of the largest initiatives highlighted in the program is the $2.1 billion Diamond Head Extension Development Program at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The airport has already begun various enabling projects to prepare the site for future development, including the demolition and clearing of existing structures and parking lots.
The program will consist of several key components as the airport expands Terminal 2 eastward. These elements include agricultural screening, a security screening checkpoint, airline lounges, concession spaces and a baggage handling system. Additional features will consist of a chiller plant, ramp control office, space for an upcoming ticket lobby, gates for wide-body aircraft and associated utility infrastructure and airfield pavement among other improvements. Plans include relocating existing support facilities such as a vehicle wash rack, triturator and vehicular security access points.
At Kahului Airport (OGG), HDOT has a series of projects either already underway or in planning and design that will completely refurbish a significant portion of the airport. Among these, the airport will replace its outbound baggage handling system with a $269 million alternative.
These efforts will be further supported by a $83.5 million renovation of the ticket lobby, central building and baggage claim. Improvements will include replacing the ticketing service counters, upper windows, improving security queue lines, installing shades in the garden and potentially replacing the canopy structure. In addition, OGG will make a $60.9 million investment in upgrading the South TSA Checkpoint.
An additional section of work at HNL will cover a $100 million Terminal 2 parking structure improvement project. The project consists of rehabilitating the concrete vehicular riding surface on the structure’s top level, repairing concrete spalls and improving the damaged drainage and sewer system components. In addition to overhauling portions of the outdated, damaged electrical systems, the airport will also abate hazardous material.
HNL plans to spend another $60 million to build a bus maintenance facility to replace existing infrastructure. The airport will demolish both above and underground infrastructure, install new underground utilities, build electric bus charging stations, a bus maintenance garage, support facilities and abate hazardous materials.
HDOT officials anticipate that all projects featured as part of the $6.9 billion program will be completed by either 2032 or 2033.
Photo by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, from Wikimedia Commons
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