Kona Airport Closes Due To Runway Cracks
The Hawaii Department of Transportation said recent winter rains contributed to runway deterioration.
The Big Island’s major airport remained closed Monday evening but is expected to reopen on Tuesday morning.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation issued a news advisory late Monday afternoon saying that Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole was “closed until further notice due to cracks on the runway.”
Airport operations shut down at 4:20 p.m. Monday to assess the cracks “and keep air travelers safe,” DOT spokesman Russell Pang said by email.
Transportation employees are “measuring the usable runway length and will provide the information to airline operators to determine how to reopen the runway while restricting planes from the damaged areas,” Pang said.
The agency is also working with contractors to mill and resurface the affected area. In another update issued shortly after 8 p.m., DOT said resurfacing should be completed “prior to first light” on Tuesday.
DOT plans to reconstruct the entire 11,000 foot runway this year, according to Pang.
Cracks had developed and the runway pavement degraded at a faster pace due to heavy rain this week.
Passengers should check with their airline before heading to the airport. DOT said it will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Asked if inbound flights to Kona were being diverted to other airports, DOT communications manager Shelly Kunishige said pilots have the discretion to make such decisions.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said he’s contacted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
“He is working with the FAA to help solve this problem as quickly as possible,” Schatz said in a written statement. The Hawaii Democrat chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
