Exploring The Big Island: Airports And Accessibility

The Big Island of Hawaii has two major airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. Kona International Airport, also known as Keahole Kona Airport, was built on recent lava flow and is the only major island airport that doesn't use a Jetway. Hilo International Airport is the other airport on the island that accommodates major air traffic.

Kona International Airport

The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport.

The history of Kona International Airport dates back to 1947 when the Territorial Legislature recognised the need for an airport in the area. Construction of the airport began in the 1960s and it opened in 1970, although construction continued for another 20 years. The airport was originally known as Keahole Airport or Keahole Kona Airport, named after Keahole Point where it was built. In 1993, the Hawaii State Legislature renamed the airport to Kona International Airport at Keahole, further emphasising the Kona name in 1997. In January 2017, the airport was renamed Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole to honour astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Hilo International Airport

The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport.

The airport was originally opened in 1929 as a single landing strip just outside of Hilo, which was then expanded upon over the years. After WWII, the airport saw a steady decrease in military operations, and in 1946 it was returned to the Territory of Hawaii for use as a civil airport. However, it remained under U.S. Air Force administration until 1952, at which point it was returned to civilian control. Construction continued, and in 1953 the new terminal was dedicated. The airport was known as General Lyman Field until 1989. Today, Hilo International Airport encompasses 1,391 acres along the eastern shore of the Big Island and plays host to air carrier, general aviation, air taxi, and military operations.

Kailua-Kona airport

The Big Island of Hawaii has two major airports: Kona and Hilo. Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It is a small, open-air airport, where passengers disembark on the tarmac via air stairs rather than a jetway to a closed-in terminal. The airport opened on July 1, 1970, with a single 6,500-foot runway, and has since been expanded and renamed several times.

Kona International Airport was built on recent lava flow, and is the only major island airport that doesn’t use a Jetway. When the airplane doors open, passengers descend the stairs under the warm Hawaii sky. The airport was constructed at Keahole Point, and was initially known as Keahole Kona Airport. The goal was to accommodate the burgeoning population on the Big Island’s west side.

In 2005, just four modest hotels served the east side of the Big Island, with three of them dating back to the 1960s. However, since the airport's opening, the population on the west side of the Big Island has increased by 50 percent, and more than 85% of visitors now stay on that side of the island.

The resumption of daily Tokyo service by JAL in 2017 generated 900 jobs and $8.58 million in tax revenue for the Big Island during its first year, according to the Hawaiian Tourism Authority.

JAL's resumption of daily Tokyo service in 2017

The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. In 2017, JAL resumed its daily Tokyo service to Kona International Airport, generating 900 jobs and $8.58 million in tax revenue for the Big Island during its first year.

JAL, or Japan Airlines, is committed to providing a service that meets its customers' highest expectations. The resumption of the daily Tokyo service to Kona International Airport in 2017 was part of this commitment. The service provides customers with a direct route to the Big Island, with the added benefit of being able to descend the stairs directly into the warm Hawaiian climate (as Kona International Airport is the only major island airport that doesn't use a Jetway).

The resumption of the daily Tokyo service also had a positive economic impact on the Big Island. According to the Hawaiian Tourism Authority, the service generated 900 jobs and $8.58 million in tax revenue during its first year. This is a significant contribution to the local economy and demonstrates the importance of air traffic to the region.

In addition to the economic benefits, the daily Tokyo service also increased accessibility to the Big Island for Japanese travellers. With JAL's commitment to providing a high-quality service, customers can expect a comfortable and convenient travel experience when flying to the Big Island. This improved accessibility has the potential to further boost tourism and economic growth in the region.

Overall, the resumption of JAL's daily Tokyo service in 2017 had a positive impact on the Big Island. It enhanced transportation links, created job opportunities, and generated significant tax revenue for the region. This demonstrates the important role that airlines and airports play in promoting economic development and connecting communities.

Keahole Kona Airport

The Big Island has two airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport.

Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawai'i. It is located in Kailua-Kona, on the west side of the island, and serves leeward Hawai'i island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. The airport has one runway, built largely on top of lava flow, and two terminals with a total of 10 gates. It is one of the only major island airports that doesn't use a Jetway. Amenities include restaurants, retail stores, ATMs and a Hawaiian Air Premium Club lounge. The airport has had several names over its lifetime. It opened on 1 July 1970 as Ke-ahole Airport, named after its geographical location, Keahole Point, which was itself named after the 'ahole fish found in the area. In 1993, the airport was renamed Keahole-Kona International Airport, after the nearby resort town of Kona. In 1997, the Kona name was further emphasised when the airport was renamed the Kona International Airport at Keahole.

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