Smoother Travel Ahead

New TSA Checkpoint Coming to Kahului Airport

May 29, 2025 | Kahului, Maui

Travel through Kahului Airport (OGG) is about to get a major upgrade. On Thursday morning, state and county officials joined with federal partners to break ground on the highly anticipated $46 million South TSA Checkpoint Project—a major milestone in the effort to modernize one of Hawai‘i’s busiest airports.

The new two-story security screening building will be constructed at the south end of the airport’s ticket lobby and will house up to six TSA screening lanes. This expansion is expected to significantly reduce wait times for travelers and improve the overall passenger experience.

“This new checkpoint will reduce wait times and improve people’s experience at Kahului Airport,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee who helped secure more than $30 million in federal funding for the project.

What to Expect

The new checkpoint building will feature:

• Six TSA screening lanes to accommodate growing passenger volume
• An upper-level lobby and TSA support areas
• Ground-level airport support and future retail space
• A pedestrian bridge connecting the new checkpoint to the expanded passenger waiting area and garden deck
• Enhanced passenger comfort, with air conditioning added to the existing checkpoint area

The “Maui Releasing the Sun” statue, currently in the courtyard, will also be relocated to a more prominent location at the front of the new checkpoint building.

“Kahului Airport sees roughly 4.4 million passengers annually,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “Building a new checkpoint will make traveling through Kahului less stressful.”

Project Timeline and Partners

The project is being led by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) in collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), with Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company serving as the general contractor. Completion is expected by December 2026.

At the groundbreaking ceremony were representatives from HDOT, TSA, the Office of the Mayor of Maui County, the Hawai‘i State Senate, and Maui County Council. Their participation underscores the collaborative effort behind this major infrastructure project.

“Today’s groundbreaking represents a significant investment in the future of TSA at OGG,” said TSA Federal Security Director for the Pacific, Nanea Vasta.

Why It Matters

This project is more than just an expansion—it’s a long-term investment in traveler convenience, tourism infrastructure, and economic resilience for Maui and the state of Hawai‘i. With growing air travel demands, these improvements will help ensure Kahului Airport remains efficient, accessible, and comfortable for everyone who passes through.

We’ll continue to provide updates as construction progresses. In the meantime, travelers can expect continued operations at the main TSA checkpoint, which will also see enhancements as part of this project.

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