Five Hawai‘i Department of Transportation airports now engage third parties in carbon management

agosto 11, 2026

With Hilo International Airport’s latest upgrade, all five airports operated by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation have now achieved Level 3 of Airport Carbon Accreditation: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Kahului Airport, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, Līhuʻe Airport and Hilo International Airport.

Level 3 recognises airports that have mapped their carbon emissions, set reduction measures and actively engaged third-party stakeholders in their carbon management efforts. The achievement reflects the Department’s approach to managing both airport-controlled emissions and wider sources linked to airport activity, including aircraft operations and ground transport.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has set a target to reduce airport-controlled carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero airport-controlled emissions by 2045, in alignment with Hawai‘i’s Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target. Its work includes collaboration with airlines, concessionaires and other airport partners to identify opportunities for emissions reductions and support their implementation.

The Department has also expanded its emissions inventory to cover airport-controlled and non-airport-controlled sources, while its 2025 Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan identifies practical clean transport measures based on their feasibility. The progressive replacement of fossil fuel-powered vehicles with zero-emission alternatives forms another part of this work.

Looking ahead, the Department recognises that progress towards net-zero airport-controlled emissions by 2045 will depend on sustained funding and leadership at both state and federal level, particularly to deliver the necessary infrastructure. It also acknowledges the contribution of airport tenants, airlines and other stakeholders to reducing third-party emissions.

Ed Sniffen, Director of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation said “We are working together with our federal, state and private-sector partners to build a resilient future for Hawaiʻi aviation. This milestone demonstrates that we stand by our words. By steadily expanding our clean transportation infrastructure, we are not only increasing the energy security of our airports, but also empowering our operational partners to do the same.”