Hawaii's Top Airports: A Comprehensive Guide

Hawaii is served by several airports spread across its islands, with the Hawaii Airports System overseeing the management and operation of these facilities. The busiest airports in the state include Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Oahu, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island. The Honolulu airport is often considered the best choice for flying into Hawaii due to its size, location, and ease of navigation. It is also the largest and busiest airport in the state, with four runways accommodating flights from 21 airlines servicing international, domestic, and inter-island flights.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Oahu

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA: HNL) in Oahu, also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Hawaii. The airport is named after Honolulu native and Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Inouye, who served as a US senator for Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district and covers 4,220 acres (some sources state 4,500 acres) of land, which amounts to more than 1% of Oahu's land. The airport has four runways, three terminals, and 60 gates (54 jet-way gates and 6 hard stands). Terminal 1 is used exclusively by Hawaiian Airlines, while Terminal 2 handles international flights from numerous carriers. Terminal 3, the smallest of the three, services inter-island flights on Kona-based Mokulele Airlines. All check-in counters for Terminals 1 and 2 are on the second floor, while Terminal 3 is located on the ground level. The baggage claim for all three terminals is also on the ground level.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport offers nonstop flights to many destinations in North America, Asia, and Oceania. It serves as the main hub for Hawaiian Airlines and is also a base for Aloha Air Cargo. The airport accommodates a diverse mix of traffic, including commercial passenger carriers, cargo, general aviation, helicopter, and joint military operations with Hickam Air Force Base (HIK) and the Hawaii Air National Guard (ANG). It also hosts flight schools for both general aviation and helicopters. In addition to the four paved runways, the airport has two designated offshore waterways for seaplanes.

The airport is easily accessible by several transportation options, including public buses, charter services, taxis, and rental cars. It is about a 20-minute drive from the airport to downtown Honolulu via Interstate H-1 East. Additionally, ride-sharing services are available on the airport's second floor. The Wiki Wiki Shuttle, the airport's free shuttle bus, provides service between the ticket lobbies of all three terminals and between the concourses of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 post-security.

For those travelling with pets or agricultural goods, it is important to note that the airport has stringent quarantine rules and inspection procedures in place. Honolulu Airport has strict regulations for pets and plants to prevent the spread of diseases and pests such as rabies and fruit flies. Passengers travelling with agricultural goods are required to inform inspectors beforehand. Pets that are not with law enforcement or a person with a medical disability must be locked inside an approved air carrier. There are designated grassy areas at the airport where leashed animals can be taken for a bathroom break.

Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui

Kahului Airport (OGG) is the primary airport on the island of Maui, serving as a gateway for both local and international travellers. It is one of the busiest airports in Hawaii, accommodating a variety of services to meet the diverse needs of its passengers. The airport receives both overseas and inter-island flights, with ten airlines flying into Maui, including Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines, which offer inter-island flights.

The airport is part of a centralized state structure that governs all of Hawaii's airports and seaports, with the official authority being the Governor of Hawaii. The airport terminal has ticketing, USDA agricultural inspection, and baggage claim areas on the ground level. The Maui Bus operates two routes that stop at Kahului Airport: Route 35 Haiku Islander and Route 40 Upcountry Islander, both starting in Kahului.

Kahului Airport has a rich history, with its origins dating back to World War II. In 1942, the Navy acquired approximately 1,341 acres of sugar cane fields near Kahului to construct a proper air station on Maui. After the war ended in 1945, negotiations began to convert the Naval Air Station Kahului into a civil airport, and by December 1947, the base was under civilian control. A passenger terminal was built, and an old shop was remodelled into a refrigerated air freight building.

The airport continues to undergo improvements to enhance its functionality and capacity. Under the OGG Master Plan, Runway 2 was lengthened to accommodate long-distance aircraft and enable nonstop service to various mainland destinations. The airport also features a new and expanded passenger waiting area, demonstrating its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience for visitors exploring the beautiful island of Maui.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) is one of the busiest airports in Hawaii, located on the Big Island. It is named after astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The airport covers 4,204 acres of land and is situated 47 feet above mean sea level.

The airport has a rich history, with several name changes over the years. In 1993, it was renamed Keāhole-Kona International Airport, reflecting its proximity to the nearby resort town of Kona. Three years later, the name was changed again to Kona International Airport at Keāhole. Finally, in 2017, it was renamed Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole to honour the legacy of the astronaut.

The airport features a single runway, which, at 11,000 feet in length, is the second-longest in the Hawaiian Islands, surpassed only by Honolulu's 12,000-foot runway. This length allows larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A321 and A330, and various Boeing models (717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787) to utilise the airport. The runway enables non-stop flights to destinations on the US West Coast and beyond, including Tokyo.

The commercial passenger facility at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is unique. It consists of tropical-style, open-air structures, divided into three terminals. Terminal 1 includes gates 1 through 5, Terminal 2 includes gates 6 through 10, and Terminal 3 caters to smaller commuter flights. Kona International stands out as the only major airport in Hawaii where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps, rather than the typical jet bridges. This airport is also known for its outdoor experience, where passengers disembark onto the tarmac and enjoy the fresh air while boarding or deboarding their flights.

Lihue Airport (LIH) on the island of Kauai

Hawaii has five international airports and six regional airports, which serve as gateways for both local and international travellers. The major airports in Hawaii include the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Oahu, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island.

LIH is accessible to those with disabilities, with accessible parking available in the main lot and loading and unloading zones curbside. There are also two TTYs for the deaf and hard of hearing. Guide/service dogs are welcome throughout the airport, and passengers can request porter service with their airline for assistance with boarding and disembarking.

Several rental car company booths are located across the street from the terminal, and pre-arranged ground transportation providers, such as tours and hotel shuttles, also serve the airport. The Kauai Bus provides public transportation, with a bus stop located in front of the terminal. The Kauaʻi Bus route 100/200 connects the airport to downtown Lihue.

Lihue Airport offers flights from seven airlines, most of which are inter-island flights from other Hawaiian airports. Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines offer inter-island flights, making travel between the islands convenient and efficient.

Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the eastern side of the Big Island

Hawaii has five international airports and six regional airports, accommodating both local and international travellers. Hilo International Airport (ITO), located on the eastern side of the Big Island, is one of the major international airports in Hawaii. It is positioned just a few miles east of the island's largest city, Hilo, but is much smaller than its sister airport, Kona International Airport, with most arrivals coming from inter-island flights.

Hilo International Airport is the perfect gateway to some of the Big Island's biggest attractions. The breathtaking Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is just 45 minutes away, and the airport also provides access to stunning black sand beaches like Punalu'u. The airport is served by Honolulu Airport on Oahu and Kahului Airport on Maui, as well as several other smaller airports in Hawaii.

The history of Hilo International Airport dates back to the late 1960s. In November 1968, construction began on an interim overseas terminal at General Lyman Field, which was dedicated on July 4, 1969. The following year, the Hilo Airport Advisory Committee was established to make recommendations on the long-term development of the airport. A new terminal was designed to accommodate the largest passenger airliner in service at the time, the Boeing 747. The first jumbo jet, operated by Braniff International Airways, landed on February 6, 1971. The new terminal was completed in 1975, and a taller air traffic control tower was opened in November 1979 to better serve the airport and its lengthened runway.

In the mid-1980s, overseas traffic to Hilo International Airport declined, and United Airlines, the sole remaining overseas carrier, terminated its scheduled service in December 1986. The airport was left without nonstop service to North America for almost two decades. However, in May 1989, the airport was renamed Hilo International Airport to reorient its image and conform to the practice of naming airports for their geographical locations. In April 2006, ATA Airlines re-established daily non-stop service between Hilo and Oakland International Airport, marking a successful return to direct overseas service to the airport.

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