Fed grants to help
security at airport

Honolulu Airport will receive
$15.2 million for improvements

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By Bruce Dunford
Associated Press

The state's largest airport will receive $15.2 million in federal grants to beef up security, members of Hawaii's congressional delegation announced yesterday.

The grants for Honolulu Airport include $6 million for a new emergency operations center at the main terminal and $4.125 million for a new security facility at the Ewa Concourse.

There is also $3.75 million for an access control system and $1.35 million to improve vehicle access security.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, disclosed the grants to reporters in the governor's office after getting a fax from U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.

"It will be released immediately. Construction will begin as quickly as possible," Abercrombie said.

Gov. Ben Cayetano said the grants will be helpful in improving the security situation at the airport.

"The present configuration at the airport right now and the temporary adjustments we've made for security have hampered the flow of traffic and affected some of the businesses," Cayetano said.

Abercrombie said Hawaii's airports already are leading the way in complying with new security demands after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the grants will help continue that process.

"Honolulu International Airport is one of our nation's most secure and well-managed airports," U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, said in a statement.

"These security enhancements will ensure the continued safety of the traveling public."

Last month, the new Transportation Security Administration listed Hilo Airport among 100 airports where passenger checkpoints will be overhauled and explosives detection machines will be installed.

Airports in Kailua-Kona, Lihue and Guam were listed among airports where plans will be developed for installing equipment to inspect checked baggage for explosives.

The agency faces a Nov. 19 deadline to replace private screeners with an all-federal work force, and a Dec. 31 deadline for inspecting all checked bags for explosives.