A bustling airport that has "international" in its official name must attain standards that befit the moniker and should continually strive to serve its global clientele well.
So we wholeheartedly encourage Honolulu International Airport’s goal to provide passengers there with access to free Wi-Fi —as many other airports do — by the end of this year. It is overdue.
Ford Fuchigami, state Department of Transportation director who served previously as deputy director for airports, says he has wanted to get free Wi-Fi at Honolulu’s airport for several years. He now is in the position to make it happen, especially since his new boss, Gov. David Ige, has touted technology modernization within state government as a priority.
Adding to the optimal timing is the fact that the state’s contract with Shaka Net, which offers paid Wi-Fi access at the airport, ends in April; currently, users pay $6.95 for two hours of access, $8.95 for 24 hours or $24.95 for a full month.
The state airport must take this opportunity to pursue a free Wi-Fi arrangement. That involves a request for proposals — and for the vendor, would necessitate a multimillion-dollar investment of a new antenna at the airport to accommodate increased demand in Wi-Fi service and use. But once it is installed, Fuchigami noted, antenna space could be leased to other communications companies.
Any traveler who has cycled through modern, state-of-the-art airports such as San Francisco, Salt Lake City or Seattle can attest to a high-quality experience, which includes free Wi-Fi access. In 2013, Airfarewatchdog.com found that 36 major U.S. airports provided some level of free Wi-Fi to airport customers, as did 26 airports in other countries.
Especially given Hawaii’s proximity to Asia, and geographical isolation in general, having free Wi-Fi at Honolulu Airport makes perfect sense. Many in the international marketplace, frankly, expect it.
Last May, Japan Airlines’ top executive in Hawaii underscored the importance of connectivity for his traveling clientele.
"These days, visitors value access to the Internet above almost all else. Visitors rely on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to check on flight status, find places to eat and drink, get directions, and instantly share their experiences over SNS (social networking sites)," Teiji Murayama, JAL vice president and Hawaii regional manager, wrote in a Star-Advertiser commentary. "Hawaii has some catching up to do when it comes to free public Wi-Fi access as competing destinations around the world are racing to invest in Wi-Fi, becoming more tourist-friendly and raising the expectations of visitors."
Clearly, the pressure is on for Hawaii to come into the 21st century with its technology — and it’s pressure that extends beyond the airport.
The city, for instance, is now working on a major project to expand free Wi-Fi in Waikiki, which it hopes to unveil this year. The city is already in partnership with service providers for free Wi-Fi in pockets around Oahu, but adding Waikiki coverage would be a huge boon to Hawaii’s biggest tourism hub.
And as Hawaii’s visitor industry continues to grow its convention and business niches, free Wi-Fi at bustling zones like the airport and Waikiki are a crucial selling point.
In October, Honolulu International Airport landed as North America’s third-worst airport in a survey by sleepinginairports.net. Among the top criticisms: "A layover here is almost inevitable when visiting one of the Hawaiian Islands, and what gets travelers is that it is basic and dull if you get stuck here … The airport does charge a fee for Wi-Fi as well, which is never particularly pleasing to travelers."
In today’s world, smart phones and mobile information devices are a way of life. It’s high time that Honolulu’s airport upgrade its technology capabilities — as well as the traveling experience for its global visitors.
