Problems at Hawaii’s biggest airport return to the news again today. And, somehow we think this may not surprise many of you.
Runway 8L at Honolulu, the airport’s primary runway, returned to the spotlight after last week’s notice of emergency spalling repairs that are now ongoing and causing the diversion of flights to other runways. This happened after comprehensive repairs on 8L that we thought were completed.
Beat of Hawaii editor Jeff questioned Jimmy Tokioka about the runway status at yesterday’s Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines press conference. While the answer he received (below) was not entirely unexpected, it did raise concerns.
Jimmy Tokioka, is Director of Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and previously served as the Deputy Director for the Department of Transportation’s Airports Division. Thus, he is among the most knowledgeable officials when it comes to issues at Hawaii airports. Before that, Tokioka was a Kauai Council Member when he and BOH editors first met. He also was in the Hawaii State Legislature for 16 years.
When we last wrote about the HNL runway repairs.
The runway repairs were expected to be completed on December 8, per an email we received from the Department of Transportation on November 29. In that unexpected development last week, the Hawaii DOT announced the immediate diversion of all aircraft arriving and departing at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) due to the discovery of spalling on primary Runway 8L.
The affected flights are being redirected to Runway 26L. The runway closure was anticipated to persist just until December 8, although we said at the time we suspected the distinct possibility of the state extending repairs beyond that date.
While HDOT assured us that the other three runways at HNL will remain operational, their capacity during peak hours has been reduced, and DOT forewarned travelers of potential flight delays. The department has been actively coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and interisland carriers to mitigate potential disruptions to flight schedules caused by this situation.
The issue with Runway 8L follows a huge repair project that extended from fall 2022 through May 2023.
The runway underwent extensive reconstruction, involving the installation of a 1,000 lineal-foot stretch of Portland cement concrete at the threshold, coupled with 7,500 lineal feet of polymer-modified asphalt.
What is the cause of the sudden spalling on the newly reconstructed runway?
Tokioka said that the spalling resulted from inclement weather during the runway construction period starting last fall. HDOT disclosed that remediation work is required for 18 concrete panels within the touchdown area where the spalling became apparent. The removal and reconstruction of these panels will be conducted at no cost to the state. BOH confirmed with Tokioka that the repair was primarily funded by federal money anyway, and thus, the fact that Hawaii wasn’t paying for the repairs is largely irrelevant.
DOT said that the removal repairs can proceed even during wet weather, while warning that additional time may be necessary for concrete curing and other construction activities.
BOH: It isn’t clear to us why the construction can be done correctly this time, even in bad weather. That given that last time, such weather resulted in spalling that, in essence, destroyed a part of the newly installed runway concrete.
Spalling on airport runways, characterized by the breaking away of concrete surfaces, is attributed to various factors including chemicals, aging, moisture infiltration (particularly with inadequate drainage), and the impact of heavy loads. The recurrence of spalling raises concerns, especially given the significant investment – a nearly $100 million repair – made within the last year.
As the HDOT addresses the current runway challenges, travelers are urged to stay informed about potential flight disruptions and to adjust their plans accordingly.
So, just how long could the Honolulu Airport runway repair now take?
Tokioka indicated that far longer would be required to repair the concrete runway. He commented on the complexity of the repair, given that the concrete is up to three feet thick.
When Jeff attempted to ascertain a new time frame, Tokioka said one month was his thought. Could it go longer, Tokioka couldn’t say. Tokioka just estimated to Jeff that a minimum of four weeks would be needed to complete the repair. In that discussion, Tokioka said he wasn’t aware of exactly what methodology was being used to repair the runway, given the extreme depth of the concrete.
Tokioka reiterated that the problem was caused by moisture had entered the concrete as a result of rain, causing the spalling and necessitating significant repair.
Are you left wondering how this could have occurred, no matter the weather?
Certainly, rain in other places would present similar issues, yet we have not heard of such problems elsewhere.
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I was booked for Maui last September. Canceled of course. Now booked Honolulu in May. Not booked flights yet.
My Hawaiian dream fading every week. Disasters on planes to Hawaii. Airport woes. Trying to add penalties on tuirists to pay for Hawaii deficit. Now landing on planes. I have one month to cancel. I don’t know if this vacation what I had hoped for. .
Seems tourists needed there but not as important as they once were.
It’s heartbreaking decision.
Just trying to figure out why you have not covered the major issues in Kona? to start out with the Parking is out-radius.
There was a person by the name of uncle Billy owned 80 percent of the businesses and parking lots in Kona and since his passing his children have hired a property management company and have increased the business rent up to 3 times last year’s rate. The management company is also starting to charge business workers 200 dollars a month. All of the parking money does not go to Kona, it goes to a company out of town. They have closed the pier area down and even when cruise ships come in the passengers are taken away in vans to areas outside the Kona area. This city is dying fast, most restaurants and shops are empty.
I suggest you reach out to the HDOT-Airports Engineering Branch or HDOT Public Affairs. I submitted the contact information in a previous comment, but it was not posted.
Another example of gross government ineptitude in Hawaii. He said the problem was caused by inclement weather while most of the construction was during a major drought! Nice try, but clearly dishonest! BOH asked the correct questions, (thank you). Unfortunately, once again we see the only thing most Hawaii government agencies are good at is talking around and over their respective department’s incompetence!
I guess there was something wrong with my first attempt to post my observations, or maybe it is not appropriate, I don’t know. Anyway I am trying again. I was hoping that perhaps someone had an explanation.
Hawaiian Airlines HA26, HNL to PDX (Portland OR) has been delayed by 3 1/2 hours for the last 2 nights, 12/6 & 12/7. I cannot see how a runway issue could possibly cause this when other airlines did not seem to be similarly delayed. Hawaiian said via chat that “Aloha, this is Misty, thank you for reaching us. I was able to check and HA26 is delayed due to scheduling and planning. We do apologize for the inconvenience.” She later claimed that HA26 for tonight. 12/8 will be on time. I sure hope so.
As we taxied across 8L this afternoon I could see light colored squares in a patchwork pattern – are these the repaired panels? Southwest landed on 8L in front of us but touched down near the end of the concrete portion of the runway.
I hope you guys can get further details on the repair process; obviously they are not going down the full thickness of the runway. Please press HDOT or an independent engineering company for more information.
How much concrete is removed to correct spalling? Are they exposing rebar? How is bonding achieved with the underlying remaining concrete? What is the long-term prognosis for the repairs?
Thanks for your excellent coverage of aircraft and other matters!
Hi Michael.
Thanks. We’ll do our best. If Jimmy Tokioka didn’t know, who is the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, we’re hard-pressed as to where to find answers to your good questions. We taxied by 8L twice in the past two days, and also noticed strange elements on the runway.
Aloha.
I’m tellin ya it was da kau kau plate lunch sleepies! The Lagoon Chinese Combo “B” with a side of Minute Chicken on Cake Noodle will DO it to ya. The place is packed with the local construction types at lunch and they don’t eat till they full, they eat till they TIAHD!
Best Regards
After reading the article, I’m still not sure what this “Spalling” is! Apparently the Airport Commissioner isn’t either.
When will the people of Hawaii awake to the Politics that dominates their State House and DC Delegation? The only road to the west side of Maui is not backed up again………. Governor’s Ige and Green are clueless.
Honolulu Airport – I worked at HNL for 42 years. Management was always political appointees. Almost all the contracts let were to subpar construction companies that cut corner. The roofing was the worst. In heavy rains the Customs and former immigration (INS) would flood! Computers had to be covered with plastic and the water would gush down the stairways. Janitors would be found resting (or worse) on the third floor.
All possible jokes aside, how does a state like Hawaii Not have an airport authority to manage the airports across the state instead of the HDOT doing such a lousy job of it? And blaming the weather for the problem is about as lame as you can get.
The legislature has voted down a port authority several times. The state doesn’t want to have an independent agency running the airports. It comes down to the unions (of course) and favoritism which has been rampant for decades. Besides, HDOT doesn’t want anyone looking over their shoulders.
Hi, we are looking at traveling to Oahu and/or Maui, Kaui next May or June – how is Maui doing after the fires – is it ok for travel to resorts? Thank you!
Hi Debbie.
Maui is in need of more visitors. Head on over.
Aloha.
We just returned from 16 wonderful, respectful days on Maui.
Yes, Lahaina was destroyed. But from Ka’anapali beach north, most places south of Lahaina, & plus a few spots elsewhere, everything looks normal.
That said, there was still an understandable sadness among locals over their losses.
We encourage everyone planning to travel to Maui, especially regular returnees, to give back via donations. Please also show deep compassion but ask few questions of locals when interacting. We found this approach to be greatly appreciated.