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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 10:18 a.m., Monday, December 24, 2007

Airports brace for holiday, bowl traffic

Advertiser Staff

The state Department of Transportation reminds travelers that Hawai'i's commercial airports will become increasingly busy during the December holiday season through the beginning of 2008, particularly with many UH fans flying to the Mainland next week to attend the Sugar Bowl game on New Year's Day.

While additional parking will be made available at all state airports, air travelers are still advised to be dropped off and/or picked up, to utilize taxis, airport shuttles or other means of transportation.

Due to limited parking and larger crowds, travelers are encouraged to add an additional 30 to 45 minutes to their airport arrival times in addition to the recommended two-hour pre-flight arrival time. Listed below are overflow parking plans for each airport:

Honolulu International Airport

Valet parking services are available in the Inter-Island Terminal at the second level center median, located outside the Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines check-in lobbies, between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Valet parking rates are $20 per calendar day versus self-parking rates of $10 per 24-hour period.

A new economy parking lot, located on the corner of A'olele Street and Lagoon Drive (see attached map), provides an additional 360 uncovered parking stalls and five handicapped stalls to the existing 4,500 airport stalls.

An introductory rate of $5 per calendar day is being offered for the economy lot, which will be in service from 5 a.m. until the arrival of the last nighttime flight.

Free shuttle service will be provided to and from the airport terminals.

Security will be present and state sheriffs and airport security personnel will monitor the area.

Travelers planning to use the new lot should arrive 45 minutes earlier than usual to provide enough time to catch the shuttle and check-in. Drivers can only enter and exit the lot from A'olele Street. Signs will be posted indicating directions to the new lot.

When all self-parking areas are filled, motorists will be directed to the valet parking. Valet vehicle pick-ups will be located at the second level center median near the inter-island check-in lobby.

In the event that all public accessible parking reaches full capacity, airport security will direct vehicles to an overflow parking lot on A'olewa Street. Free shuttle service will be available at 15-minute intervals.

Kahului Airport (Maui)

Additional airport parking will be provided at the A'alele Street overflow lot. Emergency parking will available in Lot S. Signage will be posted to direct traffic to the overflow lots when regular parking lots are filled.

Kona International Airport (Hawai'i)

The U'u Street alternative overflow parking lot will be open. Signage will be posted to direct traffic to the overflow lot when regular parking lots are filled. Free shuttle service is available to and from the overflow lot. The overflow lot is attended and the cost per vehicle is $5 per day pre-paid.

Hilo International Airport (Hawai'i)

Additional parking will be available in the overflow grass lots located on both ends of the airport terminal parking lot. Signage will be posted to direct traffic to the overflow lots when regular parking lots are filled.

Lihu'e Airport (Kaua'i)

Additional parking will be provided in the overflow lots located at both ends of the airport terminal. Signage will be posted to direct traffic to the overflow lots when regular parking lots are filled.