The Hawaii Department of Transportation will receive a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for $10,615,395 to refurbish a runway at Hilo International Airport, according to Senators Daniel K. Inouye, Daniel K. Akaka and U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono.
The money will be used for the construction phase of the runway rehabilitation underway on runway 3/21 at the Hilo International Airport. The project is needed to maintain structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris.
Inouye said that safe and reliable air travel is critical to maintaining the state’s all important visitor industry. To maintain a healthy economy, Inouye said they must do all they can to ensure safe passage to and from Hilo for their residents and visitors.
This federal grant to improve the runway at Hilo airport will help keep the Big Island open for business and tourism and according to Akaka, residents on all the islands depend on air travel to improve the economy and to make it possible to visit family and friends.
Hirono said that the federal funding for Hilo International Airport will upgrade the airport’s general aviation facilities as well as support local jobs and improve safety.
