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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, June 10, 2007

Hawai'i getting $6M to improve airport security

By Tiffany Hill
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i's eight major airports will receive $6 million in federal funding for security enhancements and $5.7 million for terminal improvements at Hilo International Airport, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye announced.

The Federal Aviation Administration will provide $3,158,870 to enhance security at the Lihu'e, Hilo International, Kona International, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Dillingham Airfield airports.

Honolulu International and Kahului, the state's busiest airports, will receive $2,796,130 in federal funding for security projects.

The state is "going to implement a statewide ID card access system for airport employees," said Scott Ishikawa, spokesman for the Department of Transportation.

He added that as of now, the specific dollar amount going toward each airport for the ID system is unknown.

"At this time in our nation's history, it is essential that our airports are secure," Inouye said in the news release. "This initiative will integrate Hawai'i's eight primary airports into a single, coordinated system that will meet the Federal Aviation Administration's security requirements."

In addition to the airport access system, the Hilo airport terminal will receive $5.7 million to replace its 30-year-old airconditioning system that no longer fully functions.

Ishikawa said the money will cover 90 percent to 95 percent of the cost of installing a new, energy-efficient system.