Why doesn't the State of Hawaii upgrade the Honolulu Airport?

You can ask that question of the Hawaii Governor; he handles the money.

This should be upgraded and modernized.

Probably not much money to spend. I vacation on the Big Island and one of the beach side state parks used to have a nice locker/shower building on one side, an old 40s style building on the other -- last time I was there they had the newer building closed off so you could not even take a shower.

Sounds the same as when I first went there in 1967. It was nice to walk outside directly from the plane and the flowers smelled like perfume in the air. It was a very romantic place.

Over priced food at the food court? I get that where ever I go. I personally like the old style time warp.

I disagree with you:

The airport is fine. I enjoy it.

I've never noticed there not being enough room at the gates

I've never paid much attention to the bathrooms.

TSA is a bottleneck at pretty much ever airport.

I haven't noticed rude employees but how would an upgrade to the airport help the quality of the staff?

All airport food is overpriced = it's often the most expensive meal I eat while on vacation

Yes, there is a 15min walk from the Interisland terminal to the overseas terminal. Take the tram, if you want.