Hilo Airport Construction to Increase Nighttime Air Traffic

Hilo-area residents can expect increased air traffic over their communities while crews work to repave one of the runways at Hilo International Airport.

The state Department of Transportation has said that the repaving work, which is scheduled between Aug. 12 and Aug. 20, is meant to improve areas prone to ponding on Taxiway E.

Problems with ponding were occurring prior to Hurricane Iselle, according to the DOT, and have been an ongoing issue the department has sought to address.

During the repaving, Runway 8-26 will be closed and evening cargo flights redirected to Runway 3-21, which requires pilots to fly over Hilo communities, increasing air traffic noise during nighttime hours.

The scheduled construction is weather-dependent, and will take place between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Work is scheduled to pause on Aug. 14, then resume on Aug. 17 before concluding on Wednesday, Aug. 20.