Bidding Opens for $2 Million APEC Improvements at Honolulu Airport

By Sonia Isotov

In a race to ready the Honolulu International Airport for worldwide attention during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in November 2011, the State today announced three improvement projects valued at an estimated $2 million.

Improvements are aimed at the International Arrivals Building (IAB) and include replacement of the canopy on the Ewa side of the IAB. Once used mainly for group tours, this area is expected to be used as a receiving area for APEC delegations; budget is estimated at $400,000.

The second improvement will be to replace the flooring on the baggage level of the IAB; budget is estimated at $950,000.

Neil Abercrombie and Brian Schatz. Image courtesy, Abercrombie Transition Team.

Finally, the other repair and maintenance work for the IAB will include improved lighting for both levels, a new ceiling in the area prior to entering the IAB from the third level escalator, a new rock garden area, improvements to the walkway from Gates 24-25, adding two Flight Information Display boards and improved signage in the baggage claim. The estimated budget for the third project is $650,000.

All three projects are in the process of being announced for competitive sealed bids with an anticipated award date of April 2011.

“These projects are part of the State’s long-term plans to improve Honolulu International Airport,” said Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz in a written statement today, who is also a member of the APEC 2011 Hawai‘i Host Committee. “The IAB improvements were developed in response to input from tour operators on how to make the arrival experience more enjoyable for international visitors. Considering the important role that Japanese visitors play in our economy, and the growing importance of visitors from Korea and China, it was clear that these projects needed to be an important priority for Hawai‘i. Fortunately, the State Department of Transportation was able to develop their plans so that the IAB improvements would also be ready for APEC, especially since it is anticipated that the IAB would also be used for APEC groups.”