Originally Posted by Honolulu Advertiser

International passengers at Honolulu's airport will soon have an air-conditioned moving walkway to whisk them between the main terminal and their gates, officials said Friday.

The long-planned "people mover" system at the airport will be included in a $10 million project to improve the arrival experience of thousands of passengers from Japan and other places who end their lengthy flight with a long walk or hot, noisy bus ride to get from their plane to the immigration and customs area, officials said.

"It will give them a much different first impression of Hawai'i," said Marsha Weinert, the state's tourism liaison.

The state Transportation Department last week sought bidders for the project, which calls for building an enclosed, air-conditioned corridor over the existing elevated roadway and adjacent walkway that leads to the gates of the 'ewa concourse, said DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

When complete, the moving walkway will extend the length of the concourse and link it to the overseas and interisland terminals.