New lease guarantees operation of Hawaii's Dillingham Airfield for next 50 years

Hawaii’s Kawaihapai Airfield, also known as Dillingham Airfield, will continue operating for the next 50 years thanks to a new lease between state officials and the U.S. Army.

The long-term lease, which was introduced on July 5, ensures military training and several small aviation businesses can continue to operate simultaneously. For a decade, the airport’s future was uncertain as stakeholders had to work through lease-related issues. A degraded water system was a major point of contention and had halted negotiations for years. But with stakeholders reaching a new agreement, the airport is now eligible for federal grants and can begin to address much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

“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 Hawaii Department of Transportation 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.”