Washington, D.C. - Federal grants totaling more than $8.3 million will fund various projects that include a noise study at Kona International Airport and improvements at airports on four islands.
These federal grants are essential because they support the safe and efficient operations of our airports in Kona, Hilo, Kahului, Kalaupapa and Lanai and the maintenance of an air transportation system that is vital to the economic and social well-being of our state.
The grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation are going to:
- Kona International Airport, $1,800,000 to update the airport master plan study and the noise compatibility plan. "The steady growth of West Hawaii has increased the need for more general aviation, and this means we need to look at expanding the existing airport terminal and address the growing need for more fuel storage and cargo facilities. As a result, an update to the airport master plan is a necessity," said Case. "A new noise compatibility plan will provide updated noise exposure maps and a noise compatibility program which are needed to help the airport determine land use issues on or near the airport property."
- Hilo International Airport, $985,000, for improvements to the terminal building which involve upgrading the old public address equipment with a new integrated public address and visual information system to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
- Kahului Airport, $702,093, to improve the runway safety area to enhance safety of aircraft operations and to meet airport design standards. This project will remove drainage obstacles and install underground piping in the runway safety area.
- Kalaupapa Airport, $1,425,000, to repair the runway pavement and aircraft parking apron that is currently unpaved, and to clear and grade the safety areas of the runway. "This project will improve the safety of aircraft operations at Kalaupapa and enable the airport to comply with federal certification requirements," said Case.
- Lanai Airport, $3,332,505, to construct approximately 15,000 square yards of the general aviation apron to accommodate current and future general aviation and to provide needed facilities for fueling operations.
Our international airports are vital to our state, but we must not overlook the need for general aviation at our airports that provide lifelines to the rest of the world for smaller, remote communities such as Lanai and especially Kalaupapa. General aviation, as a result, is important to these communities, and these grants will serve them well.
Congressman Ed Case is a Democrat representing the Second District of Hawaii.
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