LIHU‘E — The high-pitched whirr of smartphones receiving flash-flood warnings interrupted the group of representatives from different agencies and employees of the Lihu‘e Airport Tuesday morning following remarks by Gov. David Ige.
Mayor Derek Kawakami commented on how whenever Ige comes to visit, there’s rain (flash-flood warnings), alluding to the rain that blanketed the blessing of the improvements project following the Hanalei landslide about a year ago.
But the rain stayed outside the Lihu‘e Airport ticket-lobby area, and guests to the blessing of the Lihu‘e Airport ticket lobby improvements stayed dry and comfortable. The smartphone warnings served as an inconvenience to the blessing officiated by kumu Sabra Kauka and her haumana (students) from Island School.
“We’ve pretty much completed everything,” said Lihu‘e Airport Manager Craig Davis. “There’re a few minor things left on the punch list — like fixing the leaks — but the $8.5 million project is done. It took us about a year and a half to get here.”
The state Department of Transportation hosted the blessing for the recent improvements to the ticket lobby. Useable area was increased by relocating the the U.S. Department of Agriculture baggage-screening equipment and filling in four garden areas.
“The Lihu‘e Airport ticket lobby improvement project was planned to increase efficiency and comfort for travelers coming through the state’s fourth-busiest airport,” said state DOT Director Jade Butay.
“In addition to the new space created by moving the agriculture baggage screening and the filling-in of the gardens, new roof structures were designed and constructed in the areas over the former gardens to provide shade and shelter for the residents and visitors departing Lihu‘e Airport.”
The USDA baggage-screening equipment used to prevent the spread of fruit flies and other hazardous plants, insects and diseases was relocated from the main passageway leading to the lobby and re-oriented so passengers waiting for agricultural screening will enjoy the shelter of the lobby area.
“The expansion of the Lihu‘e Airport ticket lobby is just a part of the larger $2.3 billion airport modernization program, and will increase efficiency and comfort for travelers coming through the airport,” Ige said. “Our airports are critical in serving our visitors and residents alike in our island state.”
Additionally, the structures were accompanied by new seating, additional ceiling fans and updated lighting and mechanical fixtures.
“Mahalo to Gov. Ige, the state Department of Transportation, Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Rep. James Tokioka and our Kaua‘i legislative team for investing in our Lihu‘e Airport,” Kawakami said. “This improvement project increases efficiency and comfort for our travelers and gives our USDA employees the tool they need to screen for invasives.”
The $8.5 million project was funded entirely by state airport revenues and is the latest airport modernization program project to be completed.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
