Roberta Aguirre
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It is one of the two major airports on the island, serving most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna. The airport is located just 2 miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the island. Hilo International Airport is known for its efficiency, convenience, comfort, and the Spirit of Aloha that permeates the Hawaiian Islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Island Name | Hawaiʻi |
| Island Nickname | The Big Island |
| Island Location | Hawaiʻi is the southeasternmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago and is the largest island in the chain. |
| Airport Name | Hilo International Airport |
| Airport Code | ITO |
| Airport Location | The airport is located in the eastern part of Hawaiʻi Island, specifically in the city of Hilo. |
| Distance from Hilo to Honolulu | Approximately 240 miles (386 kilometers) |
| Time Zone | Hawaiʻi Standard Time (HST), UTC-10 |
| Elevation | The airport is at an elevation of 42 feet (13 meters) above sea level. |
| Runways | Hilo Airport has two runways: Runway 3/21 with a length of 6,500 feet (1,981 meters) and Runway 8/26 with a length of 3,800 feet (1,158 meters). |
| Airport Area | The airport covers an area of 1,324 acres (536 hectares) |
| Airport Importance | It is an important transportation hub for the island and plays a significant role in tourism and commerce. |
| Weather | Hilo has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The area experiences significant rainfall, earning it the nickname "rainiest city in the United States." |
| Natural Disasters | Due to its location, the area is prone to tropical storms, hurricanes, and volcanic activity. |
| Nearest Cities | Apart from Hilo, other nearby cities include Kailua-Kona, Waimea, and Keauhou. |
| Tourist Attractions | Hawaiʻi Island, including the Hilo area, offers a range of tourist attractions such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Mauna Kea Observatory, and various beaches and historical sites. |
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What You'll Learn
Hilo International Airport's location
Hilo International Airport, also known by its IATA airport code ITO, is located on the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The airport is situated just 2 miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the island. Hilo is home to active volcanoes, orchid farms, waterfalls, and a rugged coastline.
The airport is easily accessible, with a variety of transportation options available to and from the airport. These include taxi services, bus services, and rental car options. The public bus service connects the airport to the central bus terminal in Hilo, with approximately 8 buses operating daily from Monday to Saturday.
Hilo International Airport serves most of East Hawaiʻi, encompassing the districts of Hilo, Puna, Hāmākua, and Kaʻū. It is one of the two major airports on the Big Island, the other being Kona Airport (KOA) located on the west coast.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1929 when a single landing strip was opened outside of Hilo. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements, including the construction of military installations during World War II. In 1943, the airport was renamed General Lyman Field, honouring Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry.
Today, Hilo International Airport offers a range of amenities and services for travellers, including dining and retail options, ATMs, postal services, and Wi-Fi. The airport also features beautiful native gardens with sculptures, such as the ceramic 'Lava Forest' created by sculptor Toshiko Takaezu.
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The airport's history
Hilo International Airport is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It is one of two airports on the island, the other being Kona International Airport on the west side. Hilo Airport is known for its efficiency, convenience, comfort, and the Spirit of Aloha that permeates the Hawaiian Islands.
The airport was originally established as a military airbase. In 1929, a single landing strip was opened just outside of Hilo, which was expanded over the years. During its first decade, improvements were minimal, with just over $34,000 spent on development between 1927 and 1937. However, between 1937 and 1942, the Works Progress Administration spent over $260,000 to upgrade the airport, and in 1941, the Civil Aeronautics Administration provided an additional $314,000.
At the onset of World War II, the Army Engineers took over Hilo Airport and constructed military installations. During this time, the airport was renamed General Lyman Field, in honour of Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry. The Air Force retained operational control of the airport for three years after Japan's surrender in 1945.
In the late 1950s, anticipating a boom in tourism, plans were made for a second runway capable of accommodating large jet aircraft. The first phase of construction was completed by April 1963, and the new 9,800-foot runway was dedicated on March 6, 1965. The airport continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, with new taxiways and aprons finished in 1967, allowing the airport to receive overseas flights. An interim overseas terminal was dedicated on July 4, 1969, and a new, modern facility was completed in 1975.
In 2010, Continental Airlines announced new mainland service to Hilo from San Francisco and Los Angeles, operated by United Airlines after their merger in 2011. However, United dropped service to San Francisco in 2013 and to Los Angeles in 2023. As of 2025, Hilo International Airport continues to undergo improvements, with the Hawaii Department of Transportation beginning Phase 4 of the Taxiway and Runway Lighting Replacement Project.
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Passenger count
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The airport is about two miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the island.
Hilo International Airport is the smallest of Hawaii's five major airports in terms of passenger arrivals and departures. Kona Airport and Līhuʻe Airport generally serve twice as many passengers as Hilo, while Maui's Kahului Airport typically sees four times as many travellers.
In 1973, the total passenger count at Hilo International Airport was 1,357,818. In 2008, that number stood at 1,352,808. Total traffic at Hilo peaked in 1997 with 1,669,314 people. A very similar number of passengers, 1,667,163, passed through the airport in 2007.
The relatively stagnant passenger count at Hilo International Airport is due to a lack of tourism in the airport's service area, which includes the districts of Hilo, Puna, Hāmākua, and Kaʻū. In 2008, there were 11,240 hotel rooms and condominiums on Hawaiʻi Island. Of these, 9,576 (85.2%) were in the districts of Kona and Kohala, while only 1,635 (14.5%) were within the districts of Hāmākua, Hilo, and Puna. In comparison, the number of visitor accommodations on Maui and Kauaʻi were 19,055 and 9,203, respectively.
Hilo International Airport has seen some developments in its history to accommodate more passengers. In 1958, the airport acquired 91.6 acres on its eastern edge for a longer runway to enable non-stop flights to the west coast of the United States. This runway was dedicated in 1965, and interisland jet service from Honolulu and Maui was introduced in the mid-1960s. In 1967, the airport finished new taxiways and aprons, allowing it to receive overseas flights. Nonstop flights from San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX) were initiated by United Airlines and Pan American World Airways.
In 2010, Continental Airlines announced that it would begin flying to Hilo from San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2011. These flights were later operated by United Airlines after the merger of the two carriers. However, United dropped service to San Francisco in 2013 and to Los Angeles in 2023.
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Dining and retail options
Hilo International Airport is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. The island is home to active volcanoes, orchid farms, waterfalls, and a rugged coastline.
Hilo International Airport offers a variety of dining and retail options for travellers. The airport has a laid-back atmosphere and is quite spacious, making it easy for guests to navigate and find their desired services. The airport provides essential services such as ATMs, postal services, shoeshine, recharging stations, and Wi-Fi.
For dining, there are multiple local restaurants serving excellent local Hawaiian cuisine, cold beverages, and fresh local fruits and vegetables. These restaurants cater to a range of schedules, with some opening as early as 5:30 am and closing as late as 8:00 pm. The operating hours of these dining establishments are based on flight schedules, so travellers can conveniently grab a meal before their flight or upon arrival.
In terms of retail, travellers can find shops manufacturing and selling leis and jewellery. These shops are typically open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays, with slightly reduced hours on Fridays and closures on Sundays.
Hilo International Airport also offers a range of other services to make your travel experience more comfortable. There are indoor parking services, parking garages, and parking lots available. Additionally, travellers can easily get to and from the airport with options like taxis, car rentals, and shuttles.
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Transport from the airport
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the Island of Hawaii, just two miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the Big Island. The airport is known for its efficiency, convenience, comfort, and the Spirit of Aloha that permeates the Hawaiian Islands.
Hilo International Airport is accessible by car, taxi, rideshare, and public transport.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at the airport, with several companies serving the airport.
Rideshare
Ridesharing services like holoholo are available at Hilo Airport. These can be booked through their website or app. It is recommended to schedule rides in advance, and to request a ride only when you are ready with all your baggage and belongings.
Public Transport
The Hele-On Bus provides direct service to Hilo International Airport via Route 101: Keaukaha. The bus stop is located between the airport restaurant and the helicopter service counter.
Car
The airport is also accessible by car for those who prefer to drive themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
Hilo International Airport is located on the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island.
The airport code for Hilo International Airport is ITO.
The Hilo International Airport is located minutes from downtown Hilo, with attractions such as Volcano Village and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park being approximately 45 minutes away by car. The airport itself also features a garden area with native plants and sculptures, including the "Lava Forest" by sculptor Toshiko Takaezu.
Hilo International Airport is known for its efficiency, convenience, and comfort. It offers a range of dining and retail options, as well as services such as ATMs, postal services, shoeshine, recharging stations, and Wi-Fi. The airport is also accessible to visitors with disabilities and provides porter services and family restrooms.
Hilo International Airport offers various transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, and a public bus service to central Hilo. The airport is easily accessible, with the highway to Volcano, Kona, and Waimea passing right in front of it.
