Līhuʻe Airport Begins $10.2M Upgrade of Employee Parking Lot

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation started construction on January 6, 2026 to transform a gravel employee overflow lot at Līhuʻe Airport into a paved, secured parking area. Awarded to Alpha, Inc., the $10.2 million project will pave and stripe the existing 2.3-acre site, install lighting, access control and security cameras, and upgrade drainage and related infrastructure. When complete, the lot will provide about 347 stalls, roughly 117 more than before.

State officials framed the project as a targeted solution to chronic parking pressure at the airport. By relocating and expanding employee parking, the conversion is intended to free up employee-designated stalls in the public lot for travelers during peak periods, reducing congestion for residents and visitors arriving at the terminal. The state said it will notify the public if construction affects access or traffic flow to the terminal.

For daily commuters who work at the airport and for families and visitors using public parking, the project represents both short-term disruption and longer-term relief. During construction, some temporary traffic adjustments or lane changes could be required as crews mobilize equipment and install utilities. Upon completion, travelers can expect more available public stalls at busy times, easing the need to search for parking or to use off-site lots.

The inclusion of drainage improvements and upgraded lighting responds to local priorities for stormwater management and safety on Kauai. Upgraded access control and security cameras aim to modernize airport perimeter security while also improving the functionality of employee parking. The state’s investment reflects broader efforts to bolster transportation infrastructure that supports Kauai’s tourism-driven economy while addressing daily needs of island residents who rely on the airport for work and travel.

Līhuʻe’s project joins similar airport improvements worldwide that prioritize efficient curb-to-gate movement and resilient infrastructure, but it is sized and timed to Kauai’s particular patterns of seasonal travel and community needs. With construction scheduled to run through fall 2026, island residents and airport employees should monitor state notices for any temporary changes and for the final staging that will open the upgraded lot to use.