Airports: New Hilo Fire Station, Maui Car-Rental Facility

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today released $3.3 million for the state’s portion of funding to build a new fire-fighting facility at Hilo International Airport.

The airport’s current station, known officially as the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility, does not meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration, the governor’s office said in a press release.

When the new facility is completed, the current building will be used for storage.

The funding was part of more than $335 million released by Abercrombie today for capital improvement projects related to Hawaii’s airports.

The biggest-ticket item by far was $305.5 million for a new consolidated car rental facility at Maui’s Kahului Airport.

The multi-level facility, which will be accessed through a new road from Hana Highway to Airport Loop Road, will include parking for car rental companies, a customer service building, a “people-mover” system to and from the airport terminal, and additional employee parking.

Other funding released today included $14.4 million for improvements to the second-level roadway fronting the overseas terminal at Honolulu International Airport, and $11.7 million for 28,200 square feet of additional concession space at the airport’s Ewa Concourse.

The latter is expected to “improve the passenger experience by bringing the concessions closer to the gates,” the release said.

***Updated June 18.***