The pressing need to bring our airports into the 21st century is recognized by many individuals and groups, including Gov. Linda Lingle, legislators, transportation and tourism officials, the Economic Momentum Commission and the general public.

The airline industry also supports a fiscally prudent, comprehensive upgrade of our airports that provides efficient and effective infrastructure to keep the traveling public satisfied.

The air carriers serving our Islands, represented by the Airlines Committee of Hawai'i, worked closely with the state Department of Transportation and other airport and visitor-industry partners to develop a comprehensive statewide airport modernization plan.

This strategic and comprehensive initiative calls for spending $2.3 billion over the next 12 years to create a world-class airport system that addresses present and future needs of residents and visitors. Can we afford to do this? The answer is simple: We can't afford not to.

It's important to understand that while the modernization program is expensive, it is economically feasible and will not use monies from the state general fund. Nor will it divert money from other critical initiatives, such as upgrading schools, parks, harbors and roads. Instead, the much-needed improvements will be paid for using airport special funds, revenue bonds, FAA Airport Improvement Program entitlements and discretionary grants, and passenger facility charges. Additionally, revenue bonds will be issued, estimated at $1.5 billion, that will be paid for by rents and landing fees paid by the airlines.

It's also important to understand that making this wise investment in the short term will help ensure our state's economic security over the long term. Clearly, the modernization plan goes far beyond being a nicety. It is a necessity.

When undertaking a capital improvement program of this scope and complexity, one of the guiding principles is minimizing disruptions of ongoing operations. We intend to accomplish this by phasing in projects in a modular fashion and by keeping plans flexible so they can be altered if market conditions change.

In terms of specific projects at Honolulu International Airport, we want to build an in-line baggage screening system, enhance the lobby area with new check-in counters, add an international arrivals corridor with moving walkways, add aircraft gates and replace existing jet bridges, install an automated people-mover system, build a parking garage with 1,000 spaces, improve security and signs, and purchase new vehicles to replace the obsolete WikiWiki buses.

At Maui's Kahului Airport, the second-busiest airport in the state, we want to build an in-line baggage screening system and clean up the lobby with new check-in counters, add additional jet bridges to use all existing aircraft parking positions, increase the amount of parking, build an alien-species detection facility, add cargo buildings, and build an airport access road to the Hana Highway.

On the Big Island, redevelopment efforts at Kona International Airport would accommodate the growing number of trans-Pacific flights while retaining the architectural integrity of the present facility. Under the plan, we would build wide-body aircraft gates, build a new ticket lobby and baggage-claim facility, build an in-line baggage screening system, expand parking and build a regional facility for firefighting and aircraft-rescue training.

Improvements planned at Hilo International Airport would increase passenger and cargo capacity and repair aging infrastructure. We would accomplish this by building an in-line baggage screening system, enhancing security and operational efficiency, adding more parking spaces, building cargo facilities, replacing elevators and escalators, and resurfacing taxiways.

On Kaua'i, more direct trans-Pacific flights are expected at Lihu'e Airport, meaning the facility must be expanded and modernized. The plan would improve the baggage-claim facility, add an in-line baggage screening system, expand parking, enhance the heliport, upgrade the air-conditioning system and repair the main terminal's roof.

Airports fulfill many needs for the people of Hawai'i, and this includes serving as extensions of the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, studies show that tourist satisfaction with our airports has consistently diminished over the years. We must reverse that trend.

Airports give visitors their first and final impressions of our state. Those experiences should be highly positive ones that convey a distinctive and hospitable sense of place infused with Hawai'i's famous aloha spirit.

Having achieved a strong consensus from major stakeholders in our airport system, it is time to gather public opinion about the modernization plan. We welcome your ideas.

For longtime kama'aina, remember when passing through our airports was a pleasant or even exciting affair? Maybe you were greeting family members returning from vacation or wishing your children well as they departed for a baseball tournament.

Today, by contrast, airport visits are often frustrating and stressful experiences as we scramble to find an empty parking stall, wait in long lines and worry about making it to the gate on time and finding our way through the airport. Obviously that's not the best way to travel.

We've seen the aviation industry make remarkable progress during the past half-century, as Pan Am flying boats gave way to Boeing 707s and now the latest wide-body jets. The aircraft in our skies have evolved rapidly over the years, and now the state's airports must keep up with the changes and increased demand.