Approvals Sought for Kahului Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility

Kahului Airport, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A draft environmental assessment has been filed for the planned Consolidated Rental Car Facility proposed by the state Department of Transportation for the Kahului Airport.

DOT officials say the facility is designed to provide the necessary space for rental car companies servicing the airport, to accommodate services at a single location, reduce traffic congestion on the terminal roadway system, and enhance the overall customer experience.

The facility is proposed for construction on 17 acres of land, with plans for 4,200 parking stalls for rental car use.

Other uses include a quick turnaround area, office space, customer service, and fueling and car wash areas for rental car operators.

The DEA document notes an anticipated increase in numbers of enplaned passengers and rental car transactions. According to the document, an additional 350,000 square feet or 8 acres, are projected to be needed to accommodate rental car facilities at Kahului Airport by 2020, compared with conditions that existed in 2011.

The report further states that an additional 550,000 square feet or 12.5 acres, are projected to be needed to accommodate rental car facilities at the Kahului Airport by 2025.

Because the existing rental car facilities are located at the end of the terminal roadway system, rental car customers returning vehicles must circulate through, adding to congestion in front of the terminals.

The facility would be operational in 2014 if the FAA issues a favorable environmental finding and required environmental permits are obtained. Construction would take approximately 18 months according to projections in the DEA.

The facility was included as a provision under two of three options offered by transportation officials as they sought to address runway rehabilitation concerns and asphalt deterioration on runways.

A 30 day period for public comment on the DEA continues until April 8, 2013.