HONOLULU — A total of $20,104,000 has been released for improvements at four of Hawai'i's major airports as part of a 12-year, $2.3 billion airports modernization plan.

"Government spending on capital improvements creates jobs in the construction industry and stimulates the broader economy," Gov. Linda Lingle said in a news release issued by her office. "It also ensures that we have modern infrastructure in place for when the economy starts to expand again."

"These projects represent significant improvements to our existing airports and support efforts by my administration to bolster the economy as part of our five-point economic action plan," Lingle said.

• Honolulu International Airport — $9,700,000

$9,700,000 has been released to replace approximately 30 escalators throughout the airport. Nearly 75 percent of the existing escalators at Honolulu International Airport are more than 20 years old. Furthermore, key components of the equipment used by these escalators have become scarce or obsolete. This project will improve safety and allow for the efficient movement of passengers throughout the airport. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 and be completed in June 2010.

• Lihu'e Airport — $3,969,000

$3,185,000 has been released to address the current parking shortage at Lihu'e airport. The construction funds will be used to add approximately 422 new parking stalls, for a total of 1,425 stalls. Project work includes the addition of parking stalls at both ends of the existing parking lot, a portion of which will be used as a cell phone waiting lot; the construction of a new employee parking area controlled by electronic gates near the northeast end of the existing terminal building; and the addition of a new taxi lane that will be created by widening the existing access road fronting the airport terminal building. The total project cost is estimated to be $3,296,000, which includes a previous allotment of $111,000 for design. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 and be completed in December 2009.

An additional $784,000 has been released to complete phase II restoration of the former Ahukini landfill that sits on land owned by the state Department of Transportation adjacent to the north end of the Lihu'e Airport runway. The work involves improvements to stabilize the coastal slope to prevent debris and soil from entering the ocean. Design funds totaling $79,007 were previously released. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2009 and be completed in December 2009.

• Hilo International Airport - $3,235,000

$3,235,000 will be used to address the parking shortage at Hilo International Airport by adding approximately 427 new parking stalls, for a total of 1,305 stalls. Work includes the addition of a new employee parking area in one of the semicircle areas adjacent to the existing parking lot, as well as pedestrian walkway, lighting and landscaping improvements. Design costs totaled $91,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 and be completed in December 2009.

• Kona International Airport - $3,200,000

$3,200,000 will fund the construction of an interim commuter air terminal at Kona International Airport. Project work includes the construction of two enclosed buildings that will provide lounge areas, airline offices and baggage storage areas; landscaping; and associated infrastructure improvements such as lighting, signage and utilities. The current commuter air terminal sits several hundred feet from the main terminal and is comprised of three temporary trailers. The new facility – to be located on a vacant lot along Kupipi Street – will be more accessible, modern and air-conditioned. A permanent location for the commuter air terminal that is closer to the main terminal will be determined once the Kona International Airport Master Plan is completed. Governor Lingle previously released $261,073 to cover design costs. Construction of the interim terminal will begin in March 2009 and be completed in December 2009.

• Kahului International Airport

Also today, the Department of Transportation dedicated Kahului Airport's new Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS). The system allows for the flexible use of check-in counters by multiple airlines during the course of the day, thus providing passengers with a more efficient check-in experience. The multimillion dollar project is one of several projects that have been completed since the Lingle-Aiona Administration unveiled its Airports Modernization Plan in March 2006.