On April 18, 2008 dignitaries and onlookers assembled to take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Pohnpei International Airport.
The project will be be constructed in three phases according to the pictures on display at the groundbreaking ceremony. In the first phase a new generator building will be constructed, along with new twenty five foot runway shoulders, a new runway overlay, an ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighters) Building located to the side of the runway at its approximate midway point.
The second phase of construction will include a new taxiway overlay, new shoulders and fillet, new piles, and a new apron overlay.
The project will be topped off in the third phase by a new "RW9" turnaround on the west end of the runway along with a new security perimeter road and fence for the airport. The engineering and design was performed by GMP Hawaii Incorporated.