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Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is an airport located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States. It is the primary airport on the Island of Hawai'i, serving the leeward (western) side of the island. The airport covers 4,204 acres of land and is located at an elevation of 47 feet above sea level. It has a single asphalt runway and a terminal complex consisting of single-story buildings. The airport caters to various airlines, including Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Hawaiian Airlines. Kona International Airport has a unique charm, with open-air structures, lei and flower stands, and scenic views of the surrounding area. Notably, the airport is mentioned in several reviews for its small size and outdoor characteristics, with passengers disembarking directly onto the tarmac.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole |
| Location | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States |
| Area | 3,450 acres or 4,204 acres |
| Elevation | 47 feet (14 m) above mean sea level |
| Runway | 1 asphalt runway, 11,000 feet (3,400 m) long |
| Airlines | Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Go! Mokulele, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Pacific Wings, Southwest, United Airlines, US Airways, WestJet |
| Transport | SpeediShuttle, taxis, Heel-On Bus Transit Agency |
| Facilities | Restaurant/bar, lei and fresh flower stands, newsstand, gift shop, ATMs, mailbox, lounges, WiFi |
| Operations | 87,770 aircraft operations in the year ending November 30, 2021, an average of 240 per day |
| Aircraft | 56 aircraft based at the airport as of March 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is open-air and small
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is an open-air airport located in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii, serving the western side of the island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. The airport covers 4,204 acres at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway, with an average of 240 aircraft operations per day.
The airport is indeed small, with some reviewers commenting on its quaint size. In fact, one reviewer mentioned accidentally exiting the airport due to its small size! The airport has a charming, tropical-style feel to it, with open-air, single-story buildings and three terminals. The commercial passenger facility is divided into Terminal 1 (gates 1-5) and Terminal 2, with a third terminal mentioned in one source. The airport offers various amenities, including a restaurant, bar, ATM machines, a newsstand, and a gift shop. There is also a small museum, the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, dedicated to Hawaii's first astronaut, who perished aboard the Challenger Mission in 1986.
The airport has a rich history, with the construction of the new airport in 1970 significantly impacting tourism on the island. Before this, tourism was centred on the town of Hilo on the eastern side, but the new airport accelerated a shift in tourism to the western side. The airport's runway was extended in 1994 to accommodate much larger aircraft, enabling non-stop flights to Tokyo and other destinations in the US. This further enhanced the airport's appeal and contributed to the growth of tourism in the area.
Today, the airport continues to be a vital gateway to the Big Island's west coast, known for its history, culture, and outdoor activities such as snorkelling and deep-sea fishing. With its unique open-air design and small-town charm, the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport offers a memorable travel experience for visitors to the beautiful island of Hawaii.
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There are dining and shopping options
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi, serving leeward (western) Hawaiʻi island. The airport has a variety of dining options, including a landside snack bar and an airside restaurant in each terminal. Hours of operation for shops and restaurants are based on flight schedules.
For those looking for a quick bite, the landside snack bar offers a convenient option without having to enter the airside areas. Each terminal also has its own airside restaurant, providing a more comprehensive dining experience for those who have passed through security. It is worth noting that Kona International Airport comprises two small open-air-style terminals with limited services, so dining options may be more limited compared to larger airports.
Nearby dining options outside the airport include Papa Kona, known for its breakfast, lunch, and craft cocktails; The Fish Hopper Seafood and Steak, a historic landmark with spectacular ocean views; Jackie Rey's Kailua-Kona, offering fresh seafood, prime steaks, and gourmet entrees; Honu’s on the Beach, featuring a Hawaiian-style daily buffet breakfast and a popular Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet on Saturday nights; and Kona Inn Restaurant, where you can enjoy a delicious stuffed Ono.
In terms of shopping, Kona International Airport features small gift shops, lei stands, and newsstands located in both terminals, allowing passengers to purchase souvenirs, gifts, and reading material before their flights. These shops are conveniently located on both sides of security, ensuring accessibility for all passengers.
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The airport has a museum dedicated to Hawaii's first astronaut
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, located in Keahole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Covering 4,204 acres of land, the airport is known for its charming tropical-style structures and beautiful surroundings. Interestingly, much of the runway is built on a relatively recent lava flow, the 1801 Huʻehuʻe flow from Hualālai, which added approximately 4 square kilometres of land to the island.
The airport proudly bears the name of Ellison Onizuka, honouring Hawaii's first astronaut. Onizuka was an American astronaut, engineer, and U.S. Air Force flight test engineer born in Kealakekua, Hawaii. He was the first Asian American and the first person of Japanese ancestry to reach space. Onizuka's achievements and connection to Hawaii are celebrated and remembered through various initiatives and events.
The Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center at Kona International Airport is dedicated to preserving Onizuka's legacy. The centre showcases his personal items, including mementos related to his space missions. While the centre closed in 2016 and could not reopen at the same location, select items from its collection have found a new home at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii in Mōʻiliʻili on the island of Oahu. Visitors can view Onizuka's personal belongings, the only Moon rock in Hawaii, and even a spacesuit worn by Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise.
In addition to the centre, multiple events and programmes pay tribute to Onizuka's memory and promote his vision. The Hawaii Space Grant Consortium hosts an annual Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, attracting students, parents, and teachers. This event provides an opportunity for the younger generation to engage in space science-related activities and be inspired by Onizuka's achievements. Similarly, El Camino College in California organises the Onizuka Space Science Day, featuring lectures, exhibitions, and visits by astronauts to local schools.
The impact of Onizuka's achievements extends beyond the museum and events. Two astronomical features bear his name: an asteroid (3355 Onizuka) and a 29-kilometre-diameter crater on the Moon. Additionally, the Cygnus NG-16 ISS resupply spacecraft was named the S.S. Ellison Onizuka in his honour. These tributes reflect the significance of Onizuka's contributions to space exploration and his role as a trailblazer for future astronauts, particularly those of Asian-American heritage.
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It is easy to accidentally exit the airport
Kona International Airport, officially 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, Hawai'i, United States, and serves the western side of the island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala.
The airport covers 4,204 acres of land and is situated 47 feet above mean sea level. It has a single asphalt runway, 7,000 by 150 feet in size, and a terminal complex of single-story buildings along the eastern edge of the airfield. The terminal complex houses facilities for passengers, air cargo, mail, airport support, and general aviation.
Now, onto the topic of accidentally exiting the airport. While it is unclear if Kona International Airport's layout makes it particularly easy to accidentally exit the airport, there are some general factors that could contribute to this issue at any airport:
- Signage and wayfinding: Airports can be complex and sprawling, especially for first-time visitors or those who are unfamiliar with the layout. Inadequate or confusing signage can lead to passengers taking wrong turns or ending up in areas they didn't intend to go, such as exiting the secure area.
- Distractions and multitasking: Airports are busy and often crowded places with many distractions. Passengers may be multitasking, such as managing their luggage, handling travel documents, tending to children, or navigating their way through the airport. This can lead to them accidentally veering off the correct path and exiting the airport accidentally.
- Time pressure: Many passengers are under time pressure, whether it's due to a tight connection, anticipating long security lines, or simply wanting to reach their gate early. This sense of urgency can cause rushed decisions, such as mistaking an exit for a shortcut or an exit lane for a regular lane.
- Language barriers: Airports serve a diverse range of travellers, including those who may not be fluent in the local language. Inadequate multilingual signage or instructions can lead to misunderstandings and accidental exits.
- Similar-looking areas: Airports often have multiple terminals or concourses with similar layouts and aesthetics. In their haste, passengers may mistake one gate area for another, inadvertently exiting the secure area in the process.
To prevent accidentally exiting Kona International Airport or any other airport, passengers should familiarize themselves with the layout, allow ample time for navigation, and seek assistance from airport staff or information desks if needed.
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The airport has a range of transport options
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii, serving the western side of the island. The airport is located seven miles from Kailua and about 25 miles from Waikoloa.
Several private companies provide shuttle services to and from the airport, including GO Airport Shuttle, which offers flexible ride choices to accommodate different group sizes and budgets. These include shuttle services, private vans, and premium car services. SpeediShuttle also provides private car services in Kailua-Kona, and Lei flower greetings can be added to shuttle services. Additionally, various car rental agencies serve the airport in nearby off-site locations, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kona Airport is an outdoor airport.
Yes, Kona International Airport is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii.
Kona Airport covers 4,204 acres at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level.
SpeediShuttle offers door-to-door shared rides, taxis are available 24 hours a day, and car rental agencies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise serve the airport.
Kona Airport offers free WiFi, restaurants and bars, ATMs, a newsstand, gift shops, and lei and fresh flower stands.
