Maui, Hawaii: Airport Options And Travel Tips

Maui, Hawaii, is served by three airports, each offering a different experience. The island's largest airport is Kahului Airport (OGG) in northern Maui, and there are two smaller commuter airports: Kapalua Airport (JHM) on the west side and Hana Airport (HNM) on the east side.

Maui has three airports: Kahului, Kapalua and Hana

Maui has three airports: Kahului, Kapalua, and Hana. Each airport offers a different experience to travellers.

Kahului Airport

Kahului Airport (IATA: OGG, ICAO: PHOG, FAA LID: OGG) is the largest airport in Maui and the only airport that offers flights to and from the mainland US. It is located in the largest city on Maui and is about a 45-minute drive from the main resort areas. The airport has offered full operations since 1952 and is currently undergoing expansion to become a permanent international airport with service routes from Canada and Japan. The airport is named after aviation pioneer Bertram J. "Jimmy" Hogg or Jim Hogg, a Kauai native who worked for Hawaiian Airlines.

Kapalua Airport

Kapalua Airport, located on the west side of Maui, is a small airport that operates as a commercial airline airport. It only accepts commuter aircraft and propeller planes and does not have any flights after dark. The airport is accessible to private planes and is located just north of Lahaina and Kaanapali. The airport code letters, JHM, stand for John Henry Magoon, a pilot and former president of Hawaiian Airlines.

Hana Airport

Hana Airport is the smallest of the three airports and is located on the eastern side of Maui, about three miles from the town of Hana. It only has a single runway and offers a few commercial flights for passengers wanting to visit other Hawaiian islands. Only small single-engine propeller planes fly in and out of this airport. Mokulele is a small airline that operates a few flights in and out of Hana. The airport code letters, HNM, stand for Hana Maui.

Kahului Airport is Maui's largest airport

Maui is served by three airports, with Kahului Airport (OGG) being the largest. It is located in northern Maui and is the second busiest airport in the state of Hawaii. Kahului Airport is the only airport in Maui that offers flights to and from the mainland US and other countries. The airport is named after aviation pioneer Bertram J. "Jimmy" Hogg, a Kauai native who worked for Hawaiian Airlines.

Kahului Airport has been offering full airport operations since 1952. It is part of a centralized state structure that governs all of Hawaii's airports and seaports. The airport covers 1,391 acres of land and has two asphalt runways. Most commercial flights use Runway 2, which is equipped with a Category I Instrument Landing System. Runway 5 is primarily used for lighter commuter aircraft and general aviation.

The Kahului Airport terminal building has ticketing, USDA agricultural inspection, and baggage claim areas on the ground level. There are sixteen jetways for passenger boarding and deplaning, with six gate hold areas designated A to F. The main passenger terminal is divided into north and south areas, with Gates 1–16 in the south and Gates 17–39 in the north.

Kahului Airport is about a 45-minute drive from the popular tourist areas of Kaanapali and Lahaina. It offers various amenities, including dining and shopping options, public parking, internet services, ATMs, and car rental services. The airport is easily accessible via taxi, shuttle, or public transportation, such as the Maui Bus with Routes 35 and 40 connecting the airport to nearby towns and resorts.

Kahului Airport is 3km from the main town

Kahului Airport is the primary airport on the island of Maui, serving as the main international gateway to the city of Kahului and the island of Maui. It is located just 3km from the main town of Kahului, in the north of the island. The airport is easily accessible, situated off Hana Highway on Airport Road.

The airport is the second busiest in Hawaii, providing flights to and from the US mainland and inter-island flights. It is also the main airport for aviation and helicopter tours. Kahului Airport is the only airport on Maui with direct flights to the US mainland, making it the most convenient option for travellers.

The airport has two passenger terminals and an exclusive helicopter terminal. It offers a range of services and amenities, including dining and shopping options, public parking, internet services, ATMs, taxis, and car rental companies. The airport staff are known for their friendliness and professionalism. The airport also has a beautiful garden on the upper floor and provides a magnificent view of the West Maui mountain range.

Kahului itself is a vibrant city, known for its large malls, shopping centres, and tourist attractions. It is the main hub for tourism, commerce, and leisure on the island. With its colourful culture, famous retail stores, bars, restaurants, and theatres, Kahului offers visitors a unique and memorable experience of Hawaiian culture and cuisine.

Hana Airport is the smallest Maui airport

Maui is served by three airports, each offering a different experience. The island's largest airport is Kahului Airport in northern Maui, with two smaller commuter airports: Kapalua Airport on the west side and Hana Airport on the east side.

Hana Airport (HNM) is located on the northeast or east side of the Island of Maui, three miles northwest of the unincorporated town of Hana. It is the smallest of Maui's airports, covering 119 acres (48 ha) at an elevation of 78 feet (24 m) above sea level. It is a regional public-use airport, primarily serving as a commuter facility for unscheduled air taxis and general aviation. The airport has one runway, designated 8/26, with an asphalt surface measuring 3,606 by 100 feet (1,099 x 30 m).

Hana Airport is used by residents and visitors to Hana and is the destination airport for those staying in Hana or exploring the nearby Haleakala National Park. It is quite isolated, and there are limited services available. There is no taxi service, public transportation, or car rental companies at the airport. However, pre-arranged shuttles can be booked through select companies and tour operators. The airport does provide public parking, restrooms, and vending machines.

Hana is known for its rich Hawaiian culture and traditions, such as throw-net fishing and lei making. It is surrounded by breathtaking tropical wilderness, including the famous Road to Hana, a serpentine highway with ravines, waterfalls, and lush rainforests. The magic of Hana has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveler, which voted Travaasa Hana, formerly known as Hotel Hana Maui, as the "No. 1 Resort in Hawai'i" in its 2011 Reader's Choice Awards.

Kapalua Airport is for aviation enthusiasts

The Hawaiian island of Maui is served by three airports: Kahului Airport, the largest, in northern Maui, and two smaller commuter airports, Kapalua Airport (JHM) on the west side, and Hana Airport (HNM) on the east side.

Kapalua Airport is a great option for aviation enthusiasts. The airport is located in the district of Mahinahina, five nautical miles (9.3 km) north of Lahaina, in Maui County. It is a regional airport, with most flights originating from commuter airports on other Hawaiian islands. These include commercial commuter services, unscheduled air taxis, and general aviation.

The airport has a fascinating history. It was developed by Hawaiian Airlines and opened on March 1, 1987, replacing the Kaanapali Airport, which had an even shorter runway. The airport is named for the Kapalua Resort, a few miles north, and its code name, JHM, stands for John Henry Magoon, who was president of Hawaiian Airlines when the airline developed the airport.

The airport covers 50 acres of land and has one 3,000-foot runway, a passenger terminal, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station, a Universal Communications Tower (UNICOM), and a 500-gallon fuel storage tank. Operations are limited to daylight hours only, and there are restrictions on the types of aircraft that can use the airport. For example, no jets or helicopters are allowed, and flights are limited to 70 per day.

For aviation enthusiasts, one of the highlights of Kapalua Airport is the variety of aircraft that have used the facility over the years. The largest aircraft to operate scheduled passenger flights from the airport was the STOL-capable, four-engine, 50-passenger Dash 7, operated by Hawaiian Airlines. Other aircraft that have served the airport include ATR 42 twin turboprop planes, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprops, and de Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 turboprops.

The airport also offers stunning views of the surrounding area, including the nearby Kahalawai Mountains and the island's famous shoreline, featuring five bays and three of America's best white-sand beaches.

In addition to its aviation offerings, Kapalua Airport provides access to a range of activities for enthusiasts of outdoor pursuits. These include kayaking and snorkelling, offering views of Maui's incredible coral reef system, which is home to hundreds of species of tropical marine life. There are also beautiful hiking trails in the nearby mountains, providing breathtaking views of the countryside and shoreline.

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