HONOLULU — A new 50-year lease at Kawaihāpai Airfield (PHDH), formerly known as Dillingham Airfield, assures the continued operation of the airport.
The lease went into effect July 6, 2024, according to officials with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), resolving many of the problems that had put the airfield in danger.
“This new 50-year lease will ensure Kawaihāpai Airfield remains open for commercial activities and will continue to serve as a critical economic resource for O‘ahu’s North Shore community,” said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. “This was a collaborative effort that brought together the state, the Army Garrison Hawai‘i, Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District, local businesses, elected officials, and community members, all focused on a common goal of ensuring the continued operation of Kawaihāpai Airfield.”
“Kawaihāpai Airfield plays a significant role in aircraft training for civilians and the military and a significant role in a healthy, diversified economy,” said Governor Josh Green. “I’m proud that as a state we are able to come together with the varied stakeholders at Dillingham to continue to operate as a civil aviation resource and reach a mutual solution for water delivery.”
For the past 10 years, HDOT and the Army have been working to address lease-related issues that have limited HDOT from receiving federal grants for Kawaihāpai Airfield.
Specifically, in July 2023, HDOT formally informed the Army that the state could not continue to operate the airport unless three critical issues were resolved. Working together, HDOT, the Army Garrison Hawai‘i, and the Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District reached agreements on each of these conditions.
First, HDOT required a long-term lease and Joint Use Agreement so that HDOT could remain eligible for federal grants to support infrastructure improvements and continue deferred maintenance work in support of ongoing civilian operations.
Second, HDOT required a new lease that would provide sufficient rights and powers to satisfy the department’s obligations under federal law and pursuant to federal grants, HDOT officials said.
The third condition required that HDOT would continue to have access to necessary water to operate and maintain the airfield, but would no longer be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Dillingham Public Water System (PWS).
The Dillingham PWS serves airport tenants and about 30 water users, including some residents and Camp Erdman, a YMCA camp. Historically, HDOT has retained oversight of the airfield’s water system, however continuing to do so would not comply with federal funding requirements, HDOT officials explained.
In support of the new lease, the Army has established a separate five-year license with Aqua Engineers to be the operator of the Dillingham PWS. This new arrangement ensures service continues to current water users, both at the airfield and in the nearby community, HDOT officials said.
Within the five-year term of the license, the Army will work with Aqua Engineers to secure a long-term agreement for the continued operation of the Dillingham PWS.
Kawaihāpai Airfield is part of Dillingham Military Reservation, an active U.S. Army installation, and is leased from the U.S. Army to the HDOT for the operation of a joint military/civil airfield. The priorities for use of Kawaihāpai Airfield are military flight operations, military ground maneuvers, and civil aviation and sport parachute operations, HDOT officials noted.
The Army routinely conducts exercises where the use of the airfield is required for ground training and aviation purposes, including helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Systems, and cargo planes. The Army also hosts the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, a large-scale training exercise, at the airfield, serving a vital role in ensuring regional combat preparedness, state officials noted.
The civilian-owned-and-operated businesses at the airfield cater to visitors and local patrons for their recreational aviation interests including glider flying, free-fall parachuting, sightseeing, and occasionally, trips to neighboring islands.
For more information: Hawaii.gov
As a former resident of nearby Mokuleia Beach Colony, and worker for a glider operator at Dillingham Airfield back in 1969-70, I am excited to see that this airfield will continue to thrive and serve the people of Hawai’i.