Newsmaker
Monday, February 16, 1998
Name: Jerry Matsuda
Age: 52
Position: Airports administrator
Education: Hilo High, University of Hawaii-Manoa
Pastimes: Golf, deep-sea fishing
Jerry Matsuda learned about programming, master planning, design, construction and maintenance during his 15 years as the state Department of Defense's contracting and engi-neering officer. He aims high for airports
That experience, combined with his training as a civil engineer and service with the Hawaii Air National Guard, has prepared him for his biggest career challenge.
"I think administrative work is a total experience and I'm finding this job rewarding, most of all because we have an outstanding airport staff," said Matsuda, a Big Island native who was named state airports administrator in July 1997.
Matsuda's division employs 1,200 people and has an average annual budget of $315 million to operate 16 airports statewide.
The division is currently working on upgrading airports on Maui and Kauai so they can accommodate direct out-of-state flights. Kona also has the capability to handle direct flights.
"Direct flights would adversely affect (interisland carriers) Aloha and Hawaiian, so our biggest endeavor is trying to maintain a balance," Matsuda said. "We're looking at controlled growth."
A project area with great potential is cargo and maintenance, he said.
"International cargo companies are looking to establish operations here, and we'd like to increase our cargo capability," Matsuda said. "I'm hoping for a foreign trade zone for cargo, which is part of our master plan.
"Continental is putting in a major maintenance facility, and we'd like to see more."
The Airports Division has land on Lagoon Drive and on the west side of the Big Island for projects, such as a marina/business center and hotel, said Matsuda.
Matsuda plans to follow up on a "Hawaiian sense of place" theme improving the landscaping and interior appearance of airports. "It's important to help travelers have a good feeling, since the airport is what they see first."
The use of advertisements around the airport is also being studied.
"You can make firm dollars on ads, so we're looking into how we can tastefully make money on advertisements," Matsuda said. "Some ideas are putting ads on the carousel belts, small picture ads on walls and ads on closed-circuit television, which we hope to have in later this year."
By Rod Ohira, Star-Bulletin
