The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) two grants totaling $64.7 million for the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) to rehabilitate its runway. The FAA awarded $15,037,617 to HDOT as part of the USDOT’s Airport Improvement Program and $49,643,867 as part of the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program to the HDOT to conduct its Runway 17-35 Rehabilitation Project, which will repair KOA’s damaged runway to meet FAA criteria. Construction is scheduled to begin in November.
“This airfield improvement project is more than just installing new pavement; it’s ensuring reliability for residents and businesses that depend on the airport’s only runway to stay connected and to sustain the economic well-being of the community,” said Hawai‘i director of transportation Ed Sniffen. “We appreciate the support of the Biden Administration, the FAA and our congressional delegation in our ongoing efforts to improve operational efficiencies and enhance safety at the Kona Airport and our airports across the state.”
