Posted on: Friday, August 30, 2002

Airport gets $15.1M for security upgrades

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Federal transportation officials yesterday released more than $15.1 million for security improvements at Honolulu International Airport.

Four separate projects are included in the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money will be released immediately, said U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

Most of the money will be used to build an emergency operations center in the main terminal of the airport.

The release includes $6 million to build an emergency operations center, $4.1 million for a security facility at the Ewa Concourse, $3.7 million for an access control system for the airport and $1.3 million to enhance an access road at the terminal.

"These grants will be really, really helpful," Gov. Ben Cayetano said. "The current configuration of the airport and the alterations we made (since Sept. 11) has really hindered the flow of traffic and even affected some of the business."

Cayetano said the contracting will be done by the state.

Abercrombie, who spoke about the money yesterday with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, said airports compete for the security enhancement grants.

Abercrombie did not know if other states would be getting them but said that Hawai'i received the money because state airport officials have done such a good job with security.

"I believe Hawai'i can lay claim to setting the standard for airport security," Abercrombie said.

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.