We were excited about the new Honolulu Airport terminal at first, but we are still left shaking our heads about what they were thinking.
Leave a Comment
33 thoughts on “$300 Million Honolulu Airport Terminal Still Disappoints After Two Years”
We were excited about the new Honolulu Airport terminal at first, but we are still left shaking our heads about what they were thinking.
HNL definitely shows signs that it was designed by a committee, and a committee that had never been to an airport!
Thanks for the info.
We haven’t been flying Hawaaian as we had before exclusively, mostly due to their $$ airfare..outer islands..cheaper to use Southwest..but, the last time we were in the new section, it wasn’t impressive.
We hope that they (those in charge) will take comments/suggestions to heart.
I was at the new terminal in June ’23 and thought it was gorgeous. The rest of HNL airport is a mess, old and dilapidated. I’d gladly travel via that new terminal but will do everything in my power to stay away from HNL airport. It’s old, dirty, chaotic, unfriendly employees
Flying home from HNL to PDX last October I talked to an architect.
He said, ” It is the worst airport terminal design he has ever seen!”
The company i worked for helped build it. When i went on a flight last year, initially i liked it. Modern and spacious. Then i went to look for a beer, and something to eat, like I usually do. I was amazed there was nothing, i couldnt beleive it. I ended up getting a snack at the lone convenience store. So at least they have a bar and an expensive restaurant now.
I don’t get this part. Why doesnt the state plan to have vendors, retail, etc in any projects they do. Like the rail, for example, no vendors, no retail, not even bathroom. They could have offered hawaii businesses a chance to have locations and new and popular venues. Hawaaii businesses can add hawaiian culture. Vendors provide income to help fund the project. Vendors provide custimers with something they may need.
One of the main problems is HDOT, they make no effort to hire anyone with an aviation background , from management to engineering and architecture. So many beautiful airports improvement projects popping up all over the country and HDOT hires the same company that produced the failed interisland terminal. Too much nepotism and good old boy politics.
We came through the new terminal in April and agree with your observations. We had some time before boarding our flight, so we back tracked to the garden area on the other end of T1. It is showing its age as well, and there are not enough seats for the number of people wanting to use the garden. I have always felt that the two garden areas are the jewels of HNL! More gardens, less AC, please!
No boarding lane markers at gates . Boarding agent had to line passengers up in chaotic manner because she said airport management didn’t allow airlines to have line markers to guide passengers for boarding. Very unusual.
When the state ran the private developers out in the 80s….they then thought they can develop!
Well, it’s the state…hence, highly over budĝet train to no where, roads falling apart, wooden walls to ‘protect’ them at the capital, no dragstrip for a highly motor head city, (outer islands have dragstrips on state land), Hilo hotels being over charged and falling apart on state land, cement freeways with potholes, and wait. U haven’t seen anything yet,,,close our stadium with no plans or money for a new one. Lots of big ideas. But it will not be done in our lifetimes. I love our islands, but we really need better leadership. Wait….someone needs a gold star for starting the freeway rescue trucks!!! (Mexico had them in the 70s……) thank you!!
This is par for the course when the state builds anything for HNL. Construction companies, unions and politicians are usually the only people who benefit from the inflated costs associated with state projects. These fiascos always lack appropriate planning. Through decades of history, HNL’s constant “additions and improvements” have backfired and caused confusion for residents and visitors. It’s no wonder that HNL has always rated poorly when compared with other U.S. airports. Auwe!