Kahului Airport Access Road to Open Overnight

The ceremony for the new Airport Access Road took place Friday morning with Mayor Arakawa, Senator Kalani English and House Speaker, Joseph Souki in attendance.

The new Airport Access Road is finally complete, and motorists will be able to access the road on Saturday morning, July 23, 2016.

The project broke ground back in October of last year as a way to relieve traffic congestion on Dairy Road.

Mayor Arakawa says the new road will also leave visitors with a lasting impression of Maui, as one of the top destinations in the world.

“The entrance way here is a good beginning for us, to be able to promote our community the way it should be promoted, to present our community the way it should be presented,” Mayor Arakawa said.

Motorists can now go directly to the airport via Hāna Highway, Kūihelani Highway and Pu‘unēnē Avenue.

The cost of Phase 2 was $56-million and the best part? It didn’t cost taxpayers a dime. In fact, it was funded by tourists.

The project was fully funded by the rental car customer facility charges which is $4.50 per car, which in turn is collected by the car rental companies at the airport.

Hawai’i Department of Transportation Director of Public Affairs, Tim Sakahara said, “The state taxpayers did not pay for it, so the money we used to pay for the road and the water feature came from rental car customers from around the world. Those people who come in and rent a car they pay a fee, a user fee on top of the charge for the rental car, and that’s the money we use to pay for the road and the water feature. And eventually the new rental car facility will also add efficiency and convenience both on the island and for the customers.”

Kahului Airport averages 8,000 passenger arrivals a day it also rents the most cars of all the fifteen airports in the state with an average of 2,200 cars rented per day. That’s more than twice the amount of Honolulu International Airport.

The new features include LED lights and that big water feature completely recycles throughout the irrigation system, watering all the new landscaping as well.

Ross Higashi said, “LED lights that are being used at night here, saving a lot of money and electricity, all these things are reducing our carbon footprint.”

“The water feature itself is dual purpose not only is it aesthetically pleasing it’s also very functional because it s a reservoir and that non potable water will be used to irrigate the landscaping all over the airport property, Sakahara added.

There are a few changes that will go into effect as of Friday night and Saturday morning. The current access road from Keolani Place will close for those entering the airport. In bound traffic will be diverted down A’alele Street to the new Access Road. Also, the current entrance to the general public parking lot will close and the new entrance will be located across from baggage claim.

Motorists are advised to proceed with caution and observe all traffic signs.

New Airport Access Road will be open to the public at tomorrow.
Photo Courtesy.

From left to right: Deputy Director Ross Higashi, Governor Ige’s Spokewoman, Joseph Souki, Honorable Guest, Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Senator J. Kalani English, Mayor Alan Arakawa and Gerry Majkut.
Photo Courtesy

Kahului Airport water feature.
Photo Courtesy.

The new Airport Access Road will be open to motorists July 23, 2016.
Photo Courtesy.