Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division modernization plan is more than halfway complete with more than $3 billion in total improvements statewide. With the new Mauka Concourse project starting construction in June 2018 and the planning for the new Diamond Head Concourse set to begin, HDOT is moving forward with renaming its gates and baggage claims at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The new numbering is necessary to accommodate future expansion and additional gates, provide a more efficient means of directing people through the airport property and to deliver an upgraded look to the signage, which hasn’t been updated in more than 25 years.

With the last gate at the existing Diamond Head Concourse being Gate 6, renaming the gates will accommodate the new Diamond Head Concourse which will be adding 15 to 20 additional gates. Gates will be designated with a letter followed by a number. To view the map of the new numbering for the gates click here.

As a result of the gates being designated as alpha-numeric, each baggage claim carousel, which are currently designated as alpha-numeric, will be now be designated by its own distinct number. This will be one of the biggest adjustments to the public, especially to those picking up passengers at baggage claim. To view the map of the new numbering for the baggage claims click here.

“The new numbering and identification coincides with our efforts to modernize HNL and make our signage more consistent with other airports. Ultimately it will make the entire facility more efficient and user friendly, while allowing for future expansion,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “We thank the traveling public for its patience through the transition. HDOT continues to coordinate with state employees, airlines, concessionaires and airport personnel who will be answering questions and directing people to the appropriate areas to ensure a smooth transition.”

In addition, the Interisland Terminal will be identified as Terminal 1 (Hawaiian Airlines), Overseas Terminal as Terminal 2 (All Other Airlines) and Commuter Terminal as Terminal 3 (Mokulele Airlines). Terminal 3 will be located on the Diamond Head side of the airport with passengers entering from Aolele Street between the United Cargo and Delta Cargo facilities.

New digital signs will be placed over the roadways to direct people to the airline lobbies and check-in counters. The digital signs are capable of adding or deleting information designed for efficient wayfinding and a modern look.

“The new signs will help the traveling public navigate the airport more effectively and is a precursor for future improvements, while giving the airport a fresh new look,” said Blaine Miyasato, Airlines Committee Hawaii Co-Chair. “During the transition, airline and airport employees will direct passengers to their respective gates and baggage claim areas to ensure a smooth transition.”

“The new numbering system will give the entire airport property a fresh new look and feel,” said Peter Fithian, Airport Concessionaires Committee Chairman. “We do want passengers, especially frequent flyers, to know that the gate they may have used for years will have a new identification number. We realize change can be difficult for some, but we believe people will get used to the new gate and baggage claim numbers.”

All gate and baggage claim references on the existing signs will be temporarily covered with the new gate and baggage claim identifications overnight on May 31, 2018 and will remain until the permanent signs are installed over the next year. The new numbering system will be implemented Friday morning, June 1, 2018 with airline boarding passes printed with the new gate numbers.

The gate and baggage claim renaming is part of the overall sign replacement project at HNL that will replace approximately 3,100 signs, both indoor and outdoor, along the roadways and within the terminals and parking structures. Work includes the removal, retrofit or replacement of overhead roadway sign structures, installation of ground mounted roadway signs and supports, installation of signs and supports in the parking structures and terminals. Electrical work, traffic control, ceiling patching, and other associated improvements are also included.

The overall sign replacement project cost is $23 million and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2019.

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