How the battle for Kawaihāpai Airfield was won!!!
Preserving AVIATION CAPACITY demands almost the same level of diligence and proactive campaigns as are devoted to AVIATION SAFETY. The below story published by AOPA is a textbook example of how such constant awareness and early positive actions can best be done.
AOPA led an effective defense of Kawaihāpai Airfield, formerly known as Dillingham Airfield.
First and foremost, the folks who hang out in Frederick, Maryland have created a network (this link evidences this team’s current activities) to address local general aviation issues before they become crises. These seven fulltime
professionals are active participants in their regions. Their ears and eyes provide intelligence as well as share GA’s value to the states, counties and cities. These well-places listening positions facilitate AOPA’s protection of airport capacity, among a longer list of GA interests:
Promote, protect, and defend America’s community airports
Maintain sufficient state and local funding for GA Airports and infrastructure
Prevent excess state taxation on flying
Protect general aviation from unnecessary state and local regulation
The AOPA Airport Support Network (ASN) helps the Regional Managers by extending the breadth of their reach. These AOPA members work in conjunction with AOPA staff to preserve and protect airports across the United States. The association’s goal is to have an Airport ASN Volunteer at every public use airport in the United States. This substantial structure adds credence to Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr., aphorism “ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL.”
The impact of the years of work by AOPA Western Pacific Regional Manager JARED YOSHIKI and airport support network volunteer Ben Devine is shown in the leaders’ importance of aviation to Hawai’i and Oahu—
Gov. Josh Green, M.D., the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation and US Army Garrison Hawai‘i have signed a new 50-year lease at Kawaihāpai Airfield… The new lease goes into effect July 6, 2024, at which time airfield operations will continue normal operations, including uninterrupted water service to the tenants; water service to nearby off-airport users will continue.
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“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. We appreciate the tremendous efforts of the Army Garrison and Corps of Engineers in working with us and our community stakeholders to reach this important milestone.”
- 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.
- 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 PWS. The Dillingham PWS serves HDH tenants and about 30 water users, including select residents, and Camp Erdman. Historically, HDOT has retained oversight of the airfield’s water system; however, continuing to do so would not comply with federal funding requirements.
AOPA’s technical knowledge of the FAA’s AIP rules, an incredibly important aspect to this settlement, is suggested here:
“One key point of contention over the years has been the management of the water system. The infrastructure was neglected, which originally caused the Federal Aviation Administration to not let the state invest money into the system.
“But we did it anyway,” said Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “There’s no way we’re going to allow a million gallons of water to be lost from our system a month, it just doesn’t work. So we worked with the FAA to make sure that we could justify the use in that area.”
The political environment in Hawai’i posed greater challenges but the crafting of a solution that also benefitted the community shows the impact of neighbor hood knowledge.
HAWAII AIRFIELD SECURES 50-YEAR LEASE
AOPA, pilots celebrate fending off closure threat
July 15, 2024By Lillian Geil
Airport advocates spent years negotiating the benefits of maintaining Hawaii’s Kawaihāpai Airfield, formerly known as Dillingham Airfield, a public- and military-use airport located on the north shore of Oahu.
Pilots gather at Kawaihapai Airfield in Hawaii for the AOPA appreciation brunch. Photo by Melissa McCaffrey.
On July 5, state officials and stakeholders announced a 50-year lease between the U.S. ARMY and the HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT). The joint-use agreement is the first of its kind at Dillingham and will guarantee military training and numerous aviation small businesses can continue to operate concurrently.
The complicated joint-use agreement required extensive collaboration among federal, state, and local entities. AOPA Western Pacific Regional Manager JARED YOSHIKI and airport support network volunteer Ben Devine remained engaged with local airport and tenant associations throughout the negotiation process to ensure elected officials were informed about the benefits of general aviation at Dillingham and to help facilitate open communication among the FAA, Hawaii DOT, and elected officials.
“Preserving Kawaihāpai Airfield for the foreseeable future is not only a victory for aviation and the airport users, but it is also a victory for North Shore communities who will know a critical transportation lifeline is protected for an island state should it be needed,” said Yoshiki. “The patience, persistence, and collaboration by Ben Devine, our ASN volunteer, and the open lines of communication established between airport sponsors and elected officials provides a clear example for how we can approach every airport issue we come across to achieve positive outcomes.”
Over the yearslong debate regarding the future of the field, negotiations hit several roadblocks. Of prominent importance was the STATUS OF A DEGRADED WATER SYSTEM located at the airport, which had been leaking millions of gallons of potable water intended for residential and non-airport users.
The Army and Hawaii DOT recently came to an agreement on several conditions and all involved are celebrating the final agreement, which will meet joint and individual needs and address concerns raised—including providing uninterrupted water services to affected communities. The long-term lease also makes Dillingham eligible for federal grants to address infrastructure needs, something the field has not been eligible to receive for the past 10 years due to lease uncertainty.
“Kawaihāpai Airfield plays a significant role in aircraft training for civilians and the military and a significant role in a healthy, diversified economy,” said HAWAII GOV. JOSH GREEN in a press release. “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.”
Airport advocacy is at the forefront of AOPA’s mission, and this long-term lease agreement for Dillingham Airfield illustrates the value AOPA brings to promoting GA and supporting airports.
“This incredible effort would not have been possible without the continued leadership from Governor Green, Hawaii state Rep. Amy Perruso, Hawaii DOT Director Ed Sniffen, and Col. McGunegle,” said Yoshiki. “While each airport is unique, preserving Dillingham Airfield illustrates how collaboration and being solutions-oriented can overcome major obstacles.”
