Independent management would improve Hawaii’s airports

Our airports are our island state’s front doorstep to the world.

Each year, more than 17 million passengers pass through at least one the state’s 15 airports, with 98 percent of Hawaii’s eight million visitors arriving via airplane. Many of these passengers are visitors who help to contribute more than $14.8 billion in annual spending to our economy.

Unbeknownst to many, no local taxpayer dollars are used for airport operations or development in Hawaii, although the state Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for operating the airports.

Despite these facts and figures, our airports fall woefully behind when compared to competing tourism destinations and business centers across the world. Improvements are delayed and oftentimes backlogged due to lengthy appropriations and procurement processes, decision-making disbursed through seven state agencies, and the need to accommodate changing priorities.

Our growth as a top-tier visitor magnet and as a home for innovative, cross-sector commercial activity — not to mention ease for local families travelling to neighbor islands — demands something better.

A solution, spearheaded by the DOT, has been introduced this legislative session. If passed, this solution has the potential to modernize our local airport system and help our entire state remain a destination of choice.

The solution is to create a Hawaii Airport Corporation: a new, independent body that will create transparency and efficiency for our much-needed airport improvement initiatives. Such a corporation would help to:

>> Unravel the gridlock that holds our airports back from being the convenient, pleasant, world-class transportation hubs we deserve;

>> Allow all airports to make necessary improvements quickly and efficiently;

>> Create a healthier, more competitive tourism industry and deliver economic benefits across all sectors, statewide;

>> Make flying interisland a better experience for local residents;

>> Provide better customer service, fantastic retail and dining, and clean restrooms at our airports;

>> Foster a better working environment for airport employees;

>> Create quality construction jobs related to airport upgrades.

With year-round oversight and governance provided by an independent board of directors, the proposed airport corporation would also increase transparency, accountability and community engagement in decision-making regarding our airports.

Most importantly, these much-needed improvements will be paid for by the airlines and concessionaires that use the airports, together with existing passenger facility charges already included with every airfare — there will be no expense to local taxpayers with no public tax dollars used.

Independent airport governance is not a novel idea. In fact, of the top 100 airports in the United States, 42 percent of them are operated by independent authorities versus any other governmental model. In the last 25 years alone, 13 major airports have transitioned to independent governance and have seen positive results. It is time for Hawaii to join the ranks of other world-class destinations and make this critical transition.

We, in addition to dozens of other signatories who have joined a coalition in support of this initiative, hope the Legislature will support and pass the legislation, and in doing so, help to make Hawaii’s airports outstanding — for visitors, local families, employees, and our entire community.

Ron Taketa is executive secretary-treasurer, The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; Kelly Sanders is area general manager, Marriott International; and Ray Vara is president and CEO, Hawaii Pacific Health.