Roberta Aguirre
Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the largest airport in Hawaii, covering 4,220 acres (or 4,520 acres, according to another source) of land on the island of O'ahu. The airport is located 3 miles northwest of Honolulu's central business district and is the main hub of Hawaiian Airlines. The airport has four runways, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway, which was the world's first major runway built entirely offshore. The airport offers nonstop flights to many places in North America, Asia, and Oceania. In 2006, a $2.3 billion modernisation program was unveiled for Hawaii's airports, with $1.7 billion budgeted for improvements to Honolulu International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport |
| Former Name | Honolulu International Airport |
| IATA Code | HNL |
| ICAO Code | PHNL |
| FAA LID | HNL |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Area Covered | 4,220 acres (1,710 ha) or 4,520 acres |
| Runways | 4, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway |
| Passenger Traffic | 21 million+ |
| Features | Chinese, Hawaiian and Japanese gardens; retail stores; restaurants; bars; business center; ATMs; freeway; traffic lights; post office; car rental agencies |
| Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Air Cargo, Pan American World Airways, British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Aloha Airlines, United Airlines |
| Destinations | Neighboring islands of Hawaii, North America, Asia, Oceania, East Asia, Polynesia, Europe |
| Transport to/from Airport | Taxi, shuttle, bus, rideshare |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's history
Honolulu International Airport, also known as the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, is the largest airport in Hawaii. Covering 4,220 acres, it takes up more than 1% of Oahu's land. The airport is located 3 miles northwest of Honolulu's central business district. It is named after Honolulu native and Medal of Honour recipient Daniel Inouye, who represented Hawaii in the US Senate from 1963 until his death in 2012.
The airport opened on 21 March 1927 as John Rodgers Airport, named after World War I naval officer John Rodgers. It was the first full airport in Hawaii, as aircraft previously relied on small landing strips, fields, and seaplane docks. From 1939 to 1943, the adjacent Keehi Lagoon was dredged for use by seaplanes, and the soil was used to provide more space for conventional planes. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US military grounded all civil aircraft and took over the airport, renaming it Naval Air Station Honolulu. A control tower and terminal building were constructed, and some commercial traffic was allowed during daylight hours. The airport was returned to the Territory of Hawaii in 1946, and it was renamed Honolulu Airport in 1947, with "International" being added in 1951.
By 1950, Honolulu Airport was the third-busiest airport in the US in terms of aircraft operations, and its 13,097-foot runway was the world's longest in 1953. Overseas operations doubled in 1951 due to the Korean Airlift operation, and the airport served as a stopover for thousands of servicemen en route to Korea. During the 1950s, various airlines began servicing the airport, including Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), which used Honolulu as a transpacific hub, and Qantas, which introduced the first jet service to Honolulu. By 1960, Pan Am was serving the airport with Boeing 707 jets, and Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines introduced jet services on their inter-island routes in 1966.
In 2006, a $2.3 billion modernisation program was unveiled for Hawaii's airports, with $1.7 billion budgeted for Honolulu International Airport. The plan included short-term projects to improve passenger service, security, and operational efficiency.
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Layout and design
The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the largest airport in the State of Hawaii, located in Honolulu on the island of O'ahu. The airport covers 4,220 acres, more than 1% of Oahu's land. It is also one of the busiest airports in the world, serving more than 21 million passengers annually. The airport has four runways, including the 12,000-foot Reef Runway, the world's first major runway built entirely offshore.
The airport is named after Honolulu native and Medal of Honor recipient Daniel Inouye, who represented Hawaii in the United States Senate from 1963 until his death in 2012. Inouye was the second-longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, with a tenure of over 49 years. The airport is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district.
HNL has two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with various gates and concourses. The airport features a unique open-air design, allowing for a warm breeze to flow through the walkways and the scent of nearby plumeria flowers. The airport is landscaped with trees and flowers native to the Hawaiian Islands.
In terms of dining and shopping options, HNL offers a variety of choices. There are both local favourites and national brands, including fast-food chains and boutique shops selling unique items. The airport also features a free garden, the C.B. Lansing Garden, located on the ground level of Terminal 1. Additionally, there are lounges such as the Plumeria Lounge in Terminal 1 and the IASS Hawaii Lounge in Terminal 2.
HNL has a range of essential services, including retail stores, restaurants, bars, a business centre, ATMs, a post office, car rental agencies, and other travel-related businesses. The airport also has information counters located throughout, as well as family restrooms and baggage storage facilities.
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Dining options
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) offers a variety of dining options for travellers seeking a quick bite, a gourmet experience, or a taste of local Hawaiian culture. The airport is home to several cafes and fast-food joints, including Starbucks Coffee, Island Brews, and Quiznos Sub, ensuring that passengers can find a quick caffeine fix or a bite to eat before their flight.
For those seeking a more substantial meal, there are restaurants serving international cuisine, such as the PGA Tour Grill, which offers an array of global dishes crafted from fresh ingredients in a golf-themed setting. The airport also boasts local favourites like Lahaina Chicken Company, known for its specialty pizzas, and Lani Moo’s Tropical Treats, which offers decadent ice creams and tropical beverages.
Health-conscious travellers will be pleased to know that the airport caters to diverse dietary needs with multiple nutritious options. Makai Plantation serves wholesome salads and grilled dishes, while Samurai Sushi & Bento offers quality sushi and bento boxes. Jamba is another excellent choice for travellers seeking a quick, healthy snack, as they specialise in fresh-made smoothies.
In addition to these options, passengers can also find oriental cuisine at Chow Mein Express, award-winning handcrafted beers at Gordon Biersch, and locally brewed microbrews at various establishments throughout the airport. With so many dining options available, passengers are sure to find something to satisfy their cravings at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
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Transport to/from the airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district. The airport covers 4,220 acres (1,710 ha), more than 1% of Oahu's land. It is one of the world's largest, busiest, and most beautiful airports.
There are a variety of transportation options available to and from the airport. The Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle provides shared rides to destinations across the island. Transfers to all Ohaha locations, Waikiki Resort, or Honolulu Pier cost $17 one-way. Shuttles can be found on level 1 of the ground transportation area outside of baggage claims 11, 17, and 31.
Taxis are also available at the airport and can be found in the center median in front of the baggage claim area on level 1. Taxi fares to downtown Honolulu are around $45, excluding tip, and may vary depending on the company and the number of passengers and bags.
Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available at the airport. They pick up on level 2 outside lobby 2 of Terminal 1 and lobbies 5 and 8 of Terminal 2.
Honolulu's public bus system, called TheBus, is another option and is the cheapest way to reach downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Buses operate approximately every 30 minutes and depart from the center median on the level 2 roadway. A single journey costs $2.75, or a daily pass can be purchased for $5.
Additionally, some hotels in the area offer complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport for their guests. These include hotels like Best Western The Plaza Hotel and The Royal Hawaiian.
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Shopping
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu offers various shopping and dining options. The airport features a tranquil landscaped garden court area, reflecting Hawaii's unique surroundings. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, 13 lounges, and rental car facilities.
HNL has a variety of shops, including typical island airport souvenir shops, lei stands, kiosks, and duty-free stores. In 2017-2018, some updates were made, and now there are some quality shops offering high-fashion goods, including designer brands like Burberry, Coach, Hermes, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Prada, which can be found in Terminal 3. Terminals 1 and 2 are not as exciting for shoppers, with fewer boutiques. Concourse G, at the east end of the airport, also has a small selection of shops and restaurants.
In addition to the fashion boutiques, HNL has shops selling luxury leather goods, cosmetics, sunglasses, watches, purses, luggage, and dry goods. There are also several gift shops, some with a focus on local goods, jewellery, and flowers.
While the airport provides a range of shopping options, some travellers have noted that the prices can be high, with limited choices. This is a common issue at many airports, and it is recommended to bring your own snacks and drinks if you want to save money.
The airport is a convenient gateway to the Hawaiian Islands, serving 21 million passengers annually, with inter-island, domestic, and international flights.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport is officially called the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, but is also known as Honolulu International Airport.
The airport has an open-air construction, with beautiful landscaping featuring trees and flowers native to the Hawaiian Islands. It is not a large airport and has a distinctive array of Chinese, Hawaiian and Japanese gardens. The main garden, the C.B. Lansing Garden, is located on the ground level of Terminal 1.
The airport has its own retail stores, restaurants, bars, business centres, ATMs, a jail, a freeway, traffic lights, a post office, car rental agencies, and other travel-related businesses.
TheBus is Honolulu's public bus system and is the cheapest way to reach downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. The Roberts Hawaii Express Shuttle provides shared-ride shuttles to destinations throughout the island. Taxis are also available, with companies like Hello Cab and Charley's Taxi offering flat rates to popular tourist destinations. Rideshare operators like Uber and Lyft are also available.
The airport has a variety of food options, including local favourites like Lahaina Chicken Company and Kona Brewing Co., as well as national brands like Burger King.
