Bill Text: HI SB3361 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Airports.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-18 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB3361 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB3361-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3361
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO AIRPORTS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's largest airport serves as the very first gateway to the islands for countless visitors from around the world who expect to arrive in a Pacific island paradise.  Unfortunately, the Daniel K. International Airport consistently ranks among the lowest rated airports in the United States.  Residents and visitors frequently comment on the unintuitive and disjointed experience navigating the airport from parking to boarding.  Visitors frequently cite outdated brutalist concrete terminals, claustrophobic bagging areas, dark curbside pickup areas, and unpleasant views of surrounding industrial areas.  Yet visitors often comment positively about the open-air atmosphere of certain portions of the airport and, above all, the open and lush gardens and vegetation in some areas that help to create a relaxed, Hawaii sense of place.

     The legislature finds that the department of transportation has made efforts to begin improving the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, including modernizing restrooms, constructing a new mauka concourse, and consolidating rental car facilities.  However, while projects such as the mauka concourse have recently been completed, its design has received criticism for resembling airport terminals in New Jersey and Los Angeles.  Without a meaningful sense of place, the experience expected by both residents and visitors alike is diminished.  Additionally, projects have been implemented without proper planning, resulting in frequent security backups, passenger pickup areas identified by conflicting signage, and connections between parking and check-in unable to accommodate more than a few passengers at a time.

     The legislature further finds that in the next few years the department of transportation expects to spend billions of dollars in renovations and new projects at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport including a new Diamond Head concourse. In anticipation of some of these projects, the legislature passed Senate Resolution No. 221 (2021), which in part requested the department of transportation to review, revise, and update plans for the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to prioritize the user experience, establish a sense of place, incorporation green building standards, and modernize the airport.

     The legislature finds the Department of Transportation did not take any action related to Senate Resolution No. 221 (2021). Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish an airport design advisory working group to advise the department of transportation on proper airport planning and design.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established an airport advisory working group in the department of transportation for administrative purposes.

     (b)  The duties of the airport advisory working group shall be to advise the department of transportation airports division on how to improve airport planning and design at state international airports serving counties of over 500,000 people, to achieve the following objectives:

     (1)  Prioritizing the user experience of the airports;

     (2)  Reflecting the local culture, environment, and sense of place that maximizes comfortable, open-air design, expands upon the gardens and areas commonly cited as the best part of the HNL experience; and

     (3)  Sharing a narrative of the history of Hawaii and its values;

     (4)  Providing better opportunities for commercial and retail concessions that can generate additional airport revenue;

     (5)  Ensuring projects proceed appropriately and without delay; and

     (6)  Planning facilities to handle future pandemics and other related contingencies.

     (c)  The airport advisory working group shall:

     (1)  Establish general design themes, goals, and directions for airports;

     (2)  Review proposed airport project needs as well as provide initial and early concepts and direction prior to project planning and design;

     (3)  Review proposed airport project planning and design and provide feedback and direction throughout the project planning and design process; and

     (4)  Review current plans for airports and develop concepts and recommendations reflecting the goals of this section to improve and update airport plans and proposals.

     (d)  The airport advisory working group shall be composed of the following persons or their designee:

     (1)  A member appointed by the president of the senate, who shall serve as co-chairperson;

     (2)  A member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who shall serve as a co-chairperson;

     (3)  The deputy director of the airports division of the department of transportation;

     (4)  One representative from the Hawaii tourism authority;

     (5)  One representative from the University of Hawaii at Manoa school of architecture;

     (6)  One representative from the University of Hawaii at Manoa department of urban and regional planning;

     (7)  One representative from the American Institute of Architects;

     (8)  One member representing labor or the construction trade; and

     (9)  One member representing commercial or retail airport concessions.

     SECTION 3.  There is established one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) conceptual architect position in the department of transportation to assist the airport advisory working group. This position shall have planning or architecture experience.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the airport revenue fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the establishment and operation of the airport advisory working group.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Airport Advisory; Working Group; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Airport Advisory Working Group in the Department of Transportation to advise on airport design and construction projects to prioritize user experience while reflecting local culture, environment, and the history of Hawaii.  Effective 1/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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