| 1947 |
The Legislature
recognizes a need for an airport in Kailua-Kona and
determines that the only suitable area is Kailua airstrip,
previously used for small aircraft operations. |
| 1948 |
Bids are opened in May
for construction of a runway at Kona Airport. Work on the
runway begins on June 10. |
| 1949 |
A bid of $27,234 is
accepted for construction of a terminal building at Kona
Airport on March 12. Construction begins on April 1.
Opening ceremonies are held on July 10. |
| 1968 |
The Department of
Transportation assumes full responsibility for all state
airport projects. |
| 1969 |
Ceremonial charges of
dynamite signaled the started of work for the new Keahole
Airport in West Hawaii on May 27. The new airport will
replace Kailua-Kona Airport which is located 7 ½ miles
north. |
| 1970 |
Keahole Airport was
dedicated on July 1, replacing Kona Airport at Kailua. |
| 1971 |
The FAA’s Control Tower
at Keahole Airport was dedicated on April 21. The tower
became fully operative on May 1.
The FAA bestows a Beautification
ward on Keahole Airport on May 6. |
| 1983 |
United Airlines began
direct flights to Keahole Airport on September 7. |
| 1985 |
The site development was
completed for extended roads and utilities at Keahole.
A new maintenance facility was
constructed at Keahole.
Keahole Airport was awarded the
first Hawaiian Architectural Arts Award by the State
Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Improvements to the South ramp apron
and taxiway were constructed at Keahole.
New air cargo and T-Hangar
facilities were constructed at Keahole. |
| 1986 |
North ramp apron and
taxiways are constructed at Keahole. |
| 1987 |
The Master Plan for
Keahole Airport was completed in December, and focused on
the development of the airport for expanded overseas
activity. |
| 1988 |
Design begins for
expansion of the terminal at Keahole by three gates,
increase parking and lengthen the runway from 6,500 feet
to 9,500 feet.
On January 13, an electrical short
circuit caused a fire in the passenger terminal building
at Waimea-Kohala Airport. Damage was estimated at $100,000
and was confined to the ticket counter area. Passenger
service was moved to the baggage claim area and continued
without interruption.
Design work for the Col. Elison
Onizuka Memorial at Keahole Airport was begun with a
$75,000 appropriation from the Legislature.
Construction began to expand the
South Ramp and ground transportation lease lots at Keahole
in August. This will include adding more parking and
enlarging the cargo apron. The 12 existing U-drive lots
were enlarged and six new lots were added. |
| 1990 |
The Elison Onizuka
Memorial was dedicated in December at Keahole Airport.
Four lei stands, a gift shop and a
Visitor Information display area were added to Keahole
Airport. |
| 1991 |
Construction on
additional renovations to the Keahole Airport terminal
began in June. These included converting the old Aloha
Airlines Cargo building into office and storage space for
airport tenants and installing a new mechanical baggage
claim device. |
| 1992 |
A new $1.5 million cargo
building was opened at Keahole Airport. The renovated
ground transportation facility went into operation in
June.
A temporary commuter terminal
consisting of two 1,500 square-foot trailers went into use
at Keahole, providing offices, customer service counters
and a public waiting area.
Also completed at Keahole was a new
Civil Air Patrol hangar which includes provisions for
future offices. |
| 1993 |
The name of Keahole
Airport was changed on April 26 to Keahole-Kona
International Airport. |
| 1994 |
Completion of the
runway/taxiway overlay at Keahole Airport.
The Runway 17-35 extension, which
increases the runway to 11,000 feet, and will allow fully
loaded wide body aircraft to take off from Keahole fully
loaded, was dedicated on February 4. This is the longest
Neighbor Island runway in the state.
A Cargolus B-747 was the first
long-range flight to Keahole, arriving from Europe on
February 14. It carried equipment for filming of a movie.
Mainland wide body service began in March.
Work began on December 5 on the
Terminal Improvements, Phase I, at Keahole to expand the
gate/hold areas and construct a baggage claim unit at
Terminal 1.
Work also began at Keahole to widen
the peripheral road from three to five lanes, expand the
parking lot by 150 stalls, provide new landscaping at the
north and south ends of the parking lots. |
| 1996 |
An Interim Federal
Inspection Service Facility opened at Keahole-Kona
International Airport in March 1996. The facility is
needed for inspection of international flights by various
federal agencies.
International flights to
Keahole-Kona from Japan began on June 2.
Terminal improvements, Phase 1, and
the peripheral roads were completed at Keahole. |
| 1997 |
Work began on the
Terminal Improvements, Phase II, at Keahole in April. Work
includes apron lighting, security improvements and
enlargement of the passenger waiting area.
Keahole Kona International Airport
was renamed Kona International Airport at Keahole on June
16. |
| 1998 |
Phase II improvements at
Kona International Airport were completed in June. Work
began on Phase III improvements, in September. |
| 1999 |
The theme for cultural
emphasis for Kona International is one based on King
Kamehameha I. The theme for Hilo International is Pele:
The Fire Goddess. The themes will be implemented
throughout the airports. |
