The consideration of a second permanent parallel runway is in consideration of Kahului International Airport in Hawai’i. The decision comes after nearly a year of expert analysis which narrows the options down to two in reconstructing the airport’s main runway 2-20. The runway has serviced the airport for 84 years and is at the end of its useful life. One option involves constructing a temporary runway and is estimated to cost $604 million.

On the other hand, there is the option of constructing a second permanent parallel runway at a cost of $1bn. This is according to consultants for the Hawai’i Department of Transportation. However, the reconstruction project, no matter the selected alternative, “is critical for the island residents as well as the economy, and, of course, our visitors,” said Curt Otaguro, the state deputy director for airports, during a public meeting Thursday evening in Kahului. Another major airport project that is advancing is the Austin Bergstrom International Airport in Texas. It secured $1.18 billion funding to support airport expansion. The airport successfully completed an Airport System Revenue Bond sale that saw it secure the much needed funding.

Outlook on the Plans for Kahului International Airport in Hawai’i

Runway 2-20 at the Kahului International Airport in Hawai’i is the only one long enough on Maui to accommodate large domestic and military planes. “Our goal is simple,” Otaguro said. “We want to design a plan that allows for the reconstruction, it also means we’re going to dig it all out and redo it again from the core, so that the foundation is strong. So that it will last a long time.” Nonetheless, both options are designed to keep the airport continuing to operate safely and efficiently.

There is also expected to be minimal disruptions to the 7.1 million passengers who last year were on 118,304 landings and takeoffs. “We all, as passengers, we don’t like delays,” Otaguro said. Over the decades, the runway has undergone 12 major resurfacing projects, the latest in 2024. The $11 million to $12 million project to resurface about 5,000 feet provided another seven to 10 years of life, according to the state Department of Transportation at the time.

While time is of the essence to reconstruct the main runway, both alternatives will take about the same amount of time, four years. Moreover, they can start at about the same time, in 2031, with a similar finish date of the end of 2035.

Project Overview

• Project Value: Up to $1B
• Location: Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
• Owner: Hawai’i Department of Transportation
• Status: Options under evaluation

Scope

• Reconstruct Runway 2-20
• Option 1: Temporary runway ($604M)
• Option 2: Permanent parallel runway ($1B)
• Rebuild runway foundation from the ground up
• Maintain airport operations during construction

Project Importance

• Replaces an 84-year-old runway
• Supports large domestic and military aircraft
• Improves long-term safety and reliability
• Minimizes disruption to passengers

Key Challenges

• Keeping the airport fully operational
• Limiting flight delays during works
• Managing high passenger traffic
• Delivering the project within schedule

Timeline

• Preferred option yet to be selected
• Construction could begin in 2031
• Four-year construction period
• Completion expected by late 2035

Outlook

• Final decision between two runway options pending
• Both alternatives provide long-term runway capacity
• Project is vital for Maui’s economy and tourism
• Expected to strengthen airport operations for decades