Finding parking at Honolulu Airport got a lot easier yesterday with the opening of a $39.2 million, 1,800-stall parking structure to serve the Neighbor Island and Mainland terminals.

The eight-story garage — the third parking structure at the airport — is connected to the interisland terminal parking structure and increases the number of parking stalls at the airport to 6,300 at a time when parking is often a hassle at the airport, especially around the holidays and on weekends.

Even yesterday, before the new structure opened, parking was hard to find. Some drivers were having to head all the way to the top of the interisland terminal garage to find spots.

News of some parking relief was welcomed.

"More space would be wonderful," said Susan Luna of Kapolei, who was headed to Hilo yesterday and was in a bit of a rush, partly because it took her so long to find a parking space. She said she usually tries to fly early in the morning to avoid the parking problems. But sometimes she has to take a later flight.

"It's always so crowded," she said.

Shawn Henley of Kane'ohe was trying to keep calm as he searched for a parking spot yesterday so he could walk with a friend headed to the Mainland. He said every time he comes to the airport to park, he runs into a crammed parking lot.

"I'm very frustrated right now," he said, as he looked for a spot.

He finally found a stall — on the top level of the structure.

State transportation officials said though the global economic crisis has hit tourism and cut the crowds at Honolulu Airport, it hasn't drastically decreased the demand for parking. Parking at the airport is used by all manner of travelers — from those heading to the Neighbor Islands for business or a quick family visit to those going to the Mainland for a getaway. It's also used by employees, people picking up arriving passengers and airport vendors.

State Sen. J. Kalani English, D-6th (East Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i), said that thanks to his frequent travels to and from the Neighbor Islands, he has become something of an expert on the parking crunch at Honolulu Airport.

"I can tell you that finding a parking space at the airport becomes premium on a long weekend ... (or) when you're late for your flight," quipped English yesterday, at a blessing ceremony for the new parking structure. English, who is also chairman of the Transportation Committee, added that the new structure "will help all of us."

The state broke ground in September 2007 for the parking garage, a key component of the state's $2.3 billion plan to modernize airports in the Islands. The 12-year modernization plan for the airports was unveiled in March 2006 and includes major upgrades to terminals, security and other existing facilities.

The plan comes as the state is also working to upgrade its harbors and highways, and as it is looking to invest in infrastructure projects as a way to bolster the economy and create new jobs.

'MAKING LIFE BETTER'

At the ceremony yesterday, Gov. Linda Lingle said the parking structure was an example of the projects the state should be investing in.

"We don't want to build projects for the sake of building projects," she said. "We want to build projects that truly make life better."

Transportation officials pointed out some 35 businesses participated in the construction of the parking structure — not counting suppliers and others that were involved indirectly. The project also employed more than 1,000 workers.

About 150 people attended the blessing ceremony yesterday. The first vehicles to go into the parking structure after it was blessed were about 20 vintage cars, driven to the event to add a bit of fun to the ceremony. A few hours after the special event, seven floors of the parking structure were opened to the public.

The eighth floor of the structure will open next month.

Rates for the new lot will be the same as the rest of the airport: $1 for the first and second half-hours and $1 for each additional hour for a maximum of $10 for a 24-hour period. If you exit within 10 minutes of entry, there is no charge.

It's unclear how much revenue the new structure will generate. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tammy Mori said yesterday the existing structures bring in about $15.7 million in fiscal year 2008. That's an increase of about $200,000 from the year before, Mori said.

She also pointed out that the new structure uses a smaller footprint than originally anticipated, which means the garage could be expanded relatively easily in the future if needed. In addition to its own entrance, the new structure also has an upper-level pedestrian walkway and vehicle bridge to the adjacent garage.