Airport’s name honors its abiding benefactor

The name of Hawaii’s largest airport has changed for the fourth time.

It has been officially renamed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in honor of the late senator, who died at age 88 on Dec. 17, 2012, after serving in office for a half-century. During his career, Inouye helped secure funds every year to maintain and develop the former Honolulu International Airport.

State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Shelly Kunishige said Wednesday that the agency is working with the family and representatives of Inouye to schedule a ceremony that will be held around Memorial Day.

“We are honored to have Honolulu’s airport renamed the ‘Daniel K. Inouye International Airport,’” Jennifer Sabas, the former chief of staff for Inouye, said in an emailed statement. “It is a fitting tribute for a public servant who spent more than 50 years traveling between Washington, D.C, his beloved Hawaii and on occasion to the Asia Pacific region.

“As a member of the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees for decades, which have jurisdiction over aviation, he worked to ensure that the 50th state and one of the most dependent on a robust airline and airport system, received its fair share and was treated equitably.

“Senator Inouye would say, he knew he was home when he saw the large iconic tower on the approach to Honolulu. He would sigh and smile — he was home.”

The name change was approved last year after resolutions were introduced in the Legislature by Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Rep. Scott Nishimoto, a former Inouye staff member. The Federal Aviation Administration made the name change official on April 27.

State DOT spokesman Tim Sakahara said crews are modifying signs at the airport. He said the airport’s International Air Transport Association code of HNL will remain. The code is used by tour operators and airlines to assist with travel identification.

Hawaii’s largest airport opened in March 1927 as John Rodgers Airport. It was named in honor of the late Cmdr. John Rodgers, who led the first attempt to fly from the mainland to Hawaii in 1925. His plane ran out of fuel and ditched in the ocean about 365 miles from Oahu. Rodgers and his crew were rescued after about 10 days at sea.

John Rodgers Airport was renamed Honolulu Airport in 1947 and then became Hono­lulu International Airport in 1951.

The name change comes amid a modernization project at the airport that includes a consolidated rental car facility, a cargo and maintenance facility, and other improvements.