The September 11th attack
State seeks $23 million for airport, harbor security
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Transportation Writer
The state Department of Transportation will ask the Legislature for $23 million during this month's special session to beef up airport and harbor security, though lawmakers close to the issue already have expressed mixed opinions on the request.
State Transportation Director Brian Minaai said $10 million is needed to improve security at state airports, and another $13 million is needed for state harbors.
Minaai told legislators yesterday at a House Transportation Committee briefing that the money would cover extra security costs picked up by the state during the fiscal year, including wages for additional state sheriffs and private security guards. The money also could be used to staff the Hawai'i National Guard at state airports if federal financing runs out.
None of the requested money would go to improving airport security checkpoints, because the airline companies are responsible for the costs of handling baggage and passenger clearance, Minaai said.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Souki said he is open to the idea of paying at least a portion of the DOT's request, particularly to improve harbor security.
But Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Cal Kawamoto, who sat in on yesterday's House committee hearing, said he would rather see the money taken out of the DOT's airport special fund of $390 million. State transportation officials already plan to dip into that fund to cover lost revenue from sluggish airport concession sales and landing fees, which make up most of the airport revenue.
Hawai'i's airports are required by law to be financially self-sufficient.
Minaai said his department is looking for federal money to make up some of the additional security costs.
Legislators yesterday also heard from struggling airport businesses asking their rent be reduced until sales return to normal.
Gov. Ben Cayetano proposed giving the Department of Transportation power to waive guaranteed annual minimum payments and instead assess rent based on a percentage of gross income.
Representatives for airport retail shops said the Sept. 11 terrorist attack and tighter security restrictions allowing only ticketed passengers past the security checkpoints have severely hurt business.
"You have to understand that airport businesses are different from other retail," said Jim Stone for Catrala-Hawai'i, which represents the state's major rental car companies. "Local people don't eat or shop at our airport businesses. We can't be a hotel and offer a kama'aina rate to entice customers."
Meanwhile, Minaai said more than $200 million in planned renovation projects over the next four years at Honolulu airport are being reevaluated.
The state still is on track to begin construction for a larger, central security checkpoint at Honolulu airport's main terminal by the end of the year, Minaai said. That estimated $18 million project will relocate many of the airport shops and restaurants near the security checkpoint area to create a one-stop shop for passengers.
Upon completion of that project, the state is considering shutting down its two smaller checkpoints to improve airport security. But Minaai said the issue still needs to be discussed with the airlines.
Projects that were meant to handle increased airport activity could be shelved indefinitely. The projects on hold may include construction of three extra airport gates at the main terminal, initially set to begin in 2003, Minaai said.
"I don't think we're going to need those extra gates for a period of time," Minaai said.
Design work will continue on airport projects, even though they may be put on hold, said state airports administrator Jerry Matsuda.
"If and when those projects are approved for construction, at least they would be ready to go," Matsuda said.
Lawmakers are holding another hearing today at 9 a.m. at the state Capitol auditorium to discuss state security measures against terrorism.
Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
