The Hawaii Department of Transportation dedicated a new electric vehicle fast charging station at Kapalua Airport on May 13. The $3.2 million installation, located in the airport parking lot, is now open to the public and features four 150-kilowatt direct current chargers.
The new chargers operate around the clock and offer two types of connectors: two with Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS), and two with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors. Daytime charging rates are set at $0.44 per kilowatt-hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while nighttime rates rise to $0.57 per kilowatt-hour, reflecting lower electricity costs during periods of higher solar power generation.
This project was made possible through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to increase electric vehicle adoption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support U.S. leadership in transportation electrification, and develop a national network of EV chargers.according to Drive Electric.
“We are keeping the momentum going to achieve Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals as we are on our way in developing 11 NEVI charging stations across the state. Working with our federal, state and private-sector partners we are building the infrastructure needed to create a more sustainable and resilient transportation future,” said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. “Hawai‘i has seen steady growth in electric vehicle adoption and the expansion of our EV charging network is critical to supporting that growth.”
The Kapalua Airport location marks Maui’s second public NEVI program station installed by HDOT statewide; previous installations include Kahului Park and Ride in February 2024 and Aloha Tower Marketplace on O‘ahu in November 2024. Another station is planned for Kaua‘i’s Princeville Library parking lot later this year.
To date, there have been over 53,000 charge sessions between Kahului Park & Ride and Aloha Tower locations—delivering nearly 1.9 million kilowatt-hours—which has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 1.2 million kilograms or saved an estimated equivalent of over thirty-four thousand trees.
According to the official website, the Hawaii Department of Transportation manages airports for domestic/international carriers as well as commercial harbors—a statewide highway system spanning all six major Hawaiian islands—and works closely with federal agencies such as Federal Aviation Administration and U.S Coast Guard.
