Governor Releases Kona Airport, Hilo Harbor Funds

The terminal building at Kona International Airport will get a new roof as a result of funding released recently by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Today’s announcement involves $113 million for airports and harbors statewide.

The $9.8 million for the re-roofing project was part of $18.2 million allocated for Big Island projects.

The area where Hilo Harbor’s new Pier 4 is being developed is shown in this modified Google Maps image. (Click to enlarge.)

That includes $6 million to pay for widening of Kumau Street to accommodate movement of cargo between Hilo Harbor’s new Pier 4 and Kalanianaole Street, and a related appropriation of $1.8 million for work connected to the development of Pier 4.

Ground was broken in 2011 on Pier 4, a $55 million project being built on the Hilo side of the harbor.

Pier 4 will be the harbor’s second inter-island cargo pier. The other one, Pier 2, was built in the 1920s, and is unable to accommodate some modern cargo-handling equipment. Its proximity to cruise ship dockings at piers 1 and 3 also presents logistical conflicts.

The recently released funds also include $590,000 to enhance security checkpoints at Kona’s airport.