Report: Hawaii “Feverishly Moving" to Finish New Airport Immigration Facility by November

Aerial view of Hawaii Island // Photo by Joe Pike

The Associated Press (AP) is reporting that the state of Hawaii aims to finish building a new immigration facility at Kona International Airport by November, one month before Hawaiian Airlines begins direct flights there from Tokyo.

According to the AP, Department of Transportation Deputy Director Ross Higashi said the state is "feverishly moving" to get the facility ready by November. Hawaiian plans to start flying to Kona from Tokyo on December 20, according to the AP.

Hawaiian's new route will bring a regularly scheduled direct flight from Japan to the Hawaii Island for the first time since 2010, according to the AP.

Hawaiian estimates the Kona route will generate $35 million a year in visitor spending and $12.5 million in wages and benefits, according to the report.

For the AP report, click here and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all the latest Hawaii travel news.