#ed sniffen
Puʻunēnē Avenue widening project reaches 40% completion; work set to finish second half of 2026
Work on the state’s $25.5 million Puʻunēnē Avenue road widening project is around 40% complete, according to state Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen in an email Wednesday. The projected timeline for the entire project to widen the roadway from two to four lanes is either late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2026. […]
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 TSA Checkpoint Project. The project is expected to be completed in December 2026.
Free Wi-Fi offered at Molokaʻi Airport
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announced free Wi-Fi is now available at Molokaʻi Airport (MKK). Service through Hawaiian Telcom began April 17, 2025, and is available throughout the terminal.
Hawaiʻi leaders push agricultural priorities in Washington, D.C.
More than 20 leaders from Hawaiʻi’s agriculture and business sectors recently completed the second annual Hawaiʻi-USDA Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., highlighting local priorities and challenges directly to federal officials.
Hawaiʻi Airports System successfully issues $849M of bonds, largest in its history
The state’s Airports System has successfully raised $849 million in bond financing to fund approximately $600 million of essential projects to upgrade and expand airport infrastructure, including runway repairs, terminal renovations, security enhancements and the construction of new facilities.
Olowalu, Ukumehame brace for change with state’s plan to move coastal highway inland to combat sea level rise
The $160 million project is part of a yearslong effort to move Honoapi’ilani Highway away from the shoreline and improve access to and from West Maui.
Hawaiʻi Airports System gets upgraded bond rating
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced the state Airports System bond rating was upgraded by Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) to Aa3 from A1 in advance of its upcoming bond issuance.
Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization submits annual report to state Legislature
Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization has submitted its fiscal 2024-2025 annual report to the state Legislature. The report covers the period from Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024.
Hawaiʻi traffic fatalities up 10% from 2023
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has reported that 102 people have been killed in traffic-related crashes statewide from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, a 10% increase from 93 fatalities last year.
Mobile Passport Control available at Daniel K. Inouye Airport
Implementation of Mobile Passport Control has been successfully launched at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced. The mobile app, developed by US Customs and Border Protection, allows eligible travelers to expedite their entry into the United States.
Written test for driver’s permit now available online statewide
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., and the four county mayors announced the availability of a new online option to take the written learner’s permit test. As of Dec. 11, 2024, Hawaiʻi residents meeting the minimum age to test for a learner’s permit for a driver’s license can take a Home Driving Knowledge Test at https://knowtodrive.com/hawaii
Crash Responder Safety Week proclaimed
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and its traffic safety partners held a kickoff at Aloha Stadium to declare the week of Nov. 18-24 as Crash Responder Safety Week.
Unplugging the Puʻunēnē Avenue bottleneck; relief ahead for Central Maui motorists
The two-lane Puʻunēnē Avenue bottleneck has long been a headache for Central Maui motorists. Traffic slows to a crawl during get-to-school and pau hana times, morning and afternoon, from Wākea Avenue to Kūihelani Highway.
Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council established for climate mitigation
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is inviting youth ages 11 to 24 on all islands to apply to serve on the inaugural Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council. The deadline to apply is Nov. 25.
One year after devastating fires, La‘ikū housing welcomes two more families
On Aug. 7, the eve of the anniversary of the 2023 wildfires that destroyed 3,071 homes, two more families from Lahaina received keys to temporary homes at the La‘ikū housing site.
50-year lease signed for Kawaihāpai Airfield by Gov. Green, Transportation officials and US Army
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and US Army Garrison Hawai‘i have signed a new 50-year lease at Kawaihāpai Airfield, formerly known as Dillingham Airfield. The new lease goes into effect July 6, 2024, at which time airfield operations will continue normal operations, including uninterrupted water service to the tenants; water service […]
Hawaiʻi agrees to historic youth climate settlement
After a settle agreement on Thursday, the State of Hawaiʻi will now recognize children’s constitutional rights to a life-sustaining climate. The settlement involves mobilizing the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) to develop a plan to decarbonize the state’s transportation system by 2045.
Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting to be held at Lahaina Civic Center, June 19
Ed Sniffen, Director of the State Department of Transportation, will provide an update at the meeting. The County Office of Recovery will also provide an update.
CLEAR biometric kiosks launch at Kahului Airport; expected to generate $2.1M in local economic impact
CLEAR, a secure identity company, launched its signature biometric ID verification technology at Maui’s Kahului Airport on Tuesday. The kiosks are designed to streamline the airport’s security screening experience. CLEAR’s launch at OGG is expected to create 33 jobs and generate approximately $2.1 million annually in local economic impact, according to a company announcement.
Autonomous electric Miki shuttle joins Wiki Wiki bus at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has launched a new autonomous electric passenger shuttle that will augment the existing Wiki Wiki shuttle bus service at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The new fleet of shuttles, named Miki, the Hawaiian word for agile, will provide another option for airport users to travel between gates and terminals.
