January 15, 2024, 5:59 PM HST
* Updated January 15, 6:02 PM
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation shut down operations at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole at 4:20 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, to assess cracks on the runway and keep air travelers safe.
HDOT is 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. HDOT is also working with contractors to mill and resurface the affected area.
The HDOT has a project that will reconstruct the entire 11,000-foot runway this year, according to a news release. Cracks had developed and the runway pavement degradation had accelerated due to the recent rains, department officials said.
“I’ve been in contact with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and he is working with the FAA to help to solve this problem as quickly as possible,” said US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
Passengers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
