Terminal blast mitigation measures are part of $5.4 million in security improvements recently approved for Lihue Airport by the Legislature. The $1.6 million in design money and $3.8 million in construction funding includes both design and construction of measures designed
Terminal blast mitigation measures are part of $5.4 million in security improvements recently approved for Lihue Airport by the Legislature.
The $1.6 million in design money and $3.8 million in construction funding includes both design and construction of measures designed to minimize damage to life and property in the event of a bombing or other explosive blast at Lihue Airport’s Richard A. Kawakami Terminal, said Marilyn Kali, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
The security improvements will also include design, construction and installation of a closed-circuit television system, terminal security screens, improvements to automobile parking lots and terminal lighting, and permanent parking lot security inspection stations to replace the tents security officers are working under now, Kali explained.
The security features are part of over $29 million in overall Lihue Airport projects funded for the next two fiscal years ending June 30, 2003.
A new helicopter facility takes up around one third of that funding, or $9.5 million, earmarked from airport special funds. Design of the new facility is complete, with the state ready to move ahead with the construction phase, in fiscal 2003 (sometime after July 1, 2002).
Eating up around half of the two-year appropriation is paving of a general aviation apron, at $13.8 million. This is for an area rough-graded earlier, she explained.
Money for the Lihue Airport improvements comes from either the airport special fund or federal funds.
Some $10 million for land acquisition necessary to widen Kaumuali’i Highway from two to four lanes from Lihu’e to Kipu Road was also approved by the state Legislature this year.
The money, from federal funds ($8 million) and state revenue bond funds ($2 million), will be used to purchase land on both sides of the highway necessary to allow the widening, said Kali.
The section from Lihu’e to Kipu Road is the first phase of the plan to widen Kaumuali’i Highway to four lanes from Lihu’e past the intersection of the highway and the county’s Maluhia Road at the Tree Tunnel.
The money is budgeted for fiscal 2003.
All of the funds are included in the state budget bill, House Bill 1800, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ben Cayetano shortly.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
