Groundbreaking: $46M Kahului Airport South TSA Checkpoint expected to reduce wait times

The state Department of Transportation conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the $46 million Kahului Airport South Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Checkpoint Project on Thursday morning. The project will include a new two-story TSA security checkpoint building.

The new two-story security screening checkpoint building at the south end of the ticket lobby will house up to six screening lanes. The existing main checkpoint will remain operational and as part of the multimillion-dollar project, will be upgraded by enclosing it and adding air conditioning.

HDOT, TSA, US Sen. Brian Schatz, along with other federal, state and county officials and HDOT partners participated in a groundbreaking and blessing.

Schatz, who is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure more than $30 million in federal funding for the project.

“This new checkpoint will reduce wait times and improve people’s experience at Kahului Airport,” said Schatz who noted that these improvements will benefit visitors and residents alike.

The additional screening lanes will increase capacity for TSA operations, adding to the overall efficiency of passenger screening and security operations at OGG, according to transportation officials.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents a significant investment in the future of TSA at OGG. We are pleased with the planning and work that is being done to make the south security checkpoint a reality,” said TSA Federal Security Director for the Pacific Nanea Vasta. “This project will help TSA meet the increasing demand for passenger screening. We look forward to welcoming travelers to the new checkpoint upon its completion.”

The new south checkpoint waiting lobby, screening lanes and TSA support spaces will be located on the second floor. Other airport support spaces and tenant retail opportunities will be on the ground floor.

A pedestrian bridge will connect the new south checkpoint to the newly expanded passenger waiting area that was dedicated earlier this year, along with a new garden deck. Also, the “Maui Releasing the Sun” statue currently in the airport courtyard will be relocated to a more visible spot at the front of the new two-story checkpoint building.

“Kahului Airport sees roughly 4.4 million passengers annually,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “Building a new checkpoint will make traveling through Kahului less stressful. The south checkpoint will have capacity for up to six screening lanes and we’ll be making the existing main screening area more comfortable by enclosing it and adding air conditioning. We know air travel is a necessity for many Hawai‘i residents and we want it to be as positive and comfortable as possible.”

The project is expected to be completed in December 2026. The general contractor is Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co.