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Hawaii is home to five international airports and six regional airports, which serve as a crucial connection to the rest of the world for locals and tourists alike. The busiest airports in Hawaii are Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Oahu, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island. These airports offer a variety of services and play a significant role in the state's economy and transportation infrastructure. In this article, we will discuss the major airports in Hawaii, their locations, and the unique features they offer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of International Airports | 5 |
| Number of Regional Airports | 6 |
| Busiest Airports | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kahului Airport (OGG), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) |
| Largest Airport | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) |
| Airports with International and Domestic Flights | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hilo International Airport (ITO), Hana Airport (HNM), Kapalua Airport (JHM) |
| Airports with International Flights | Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), Hilo International Airport (ITO) |
| Airports with Domestic Flights | Hana Airport (HNM), Kapalua Airport (JHM) |
| Airlines Offering Inter-Island Flights | Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, 'Ohana by Hawaiian (suspended operations in May 2021) |
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What You'll Learn
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Oahu
HNL 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, as well as 34 cities worldwide. It is served by international and domestic carriers, interisland airlines, and commuter airlines. In addition to the runways, there are two designated offshore waterways for seaplanes. The airport has 60 gates across three terminals, with Terminal 2 being the largest and the only one that can handle international arrivals and departures. Terminals 1 and 2 are connected post-security, but passengers travelling from Terminal 1 to 2 must pass through a USDA agricultural inspection station for carry-on luggage. The airport is easily accessible via the Wiki Wiki Shuttle, which is a free shuttle bus service that operates between the ticket lobbies of all three terminals and between the concourses of Terminals 1 and 2 post-security.
The airport complex includes retail stores, restaurants, bars, a business centre, ATMs, a jail, freeway access, traffic lights, a post office, car rental agencies, and other travel-related businesses. An estimated 10,000 people are in the airport complex at any given time as passengers, employees, or visitors, and approximately 15,000 people work there daily. In addition to HNL, the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation also operates Kalaeloa Airport (JRF) and Dillingham Field (HDH). Kalaeloa Airport serves as a reliever airport for HNL and is an alternate landing site for military and commercial airlines, while Dillingham Field is a specialised general aviation airport used mainly by gliders and parachutists.
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Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui
Kahului Airport (OGG) is located on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It is one of the busiest airports in Hawaii, serving as a gateway for both local and international travellers. The airport is about 2.5 miles from Kahului town and has earned acclaim for its unique semi-outdoor structure, which offers travellers a glimpse of Maui's natural beauty upon arrival. With a sprawling area of 1,391 acres, it is a bustling hub that caters to various air travel needs, including commuter flights, aerial tours, and general aviation activities.
The history of Kahului Airport dates back to the early 20th century. In 1927, funding was allocated for an airstrip in Hawaii, and a rudimentary dirt landing strip was established in Maalaea. However, this strip proved inadequate, especially during rainy weather. As a result, new plans were initiated, leading to the establishment of Puunene Airport in 1938. With the outbreak of World War II, Puunene underwent significant expansions to meet military demands. Yet, the need for an additional site near Kahului arose.
In 1942, construction began on what would become the Naval Air Station at Kahului. Following the war, negotiations took place to convert this naval air station into a civil airport, as Puunene was deemed insufficient. By 1947, the base was under civilian control, and the Hawaii Aeronautics Commission assumed oversight. The airfield was prepared with a passenger terminal, an air freight building, and navigational and runway lighting systems.
Today, Kahului Airport is a modern and efficient facility, offering exceptional service and various amenities to enhance the travel experience. It features a straightforward layout and boasts several significant airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Virgin America, and Hawaiian Airlines. The airport accommodates around 7,000 travellers daily and provides convenient access to Maui's attractions, such as its beautiful beaches, water sports, and the Haleakala Crater.
Kahului Airport is part of a centralized state structure that governs all of Hawaii's airports and seaports. The airport's operations are overseen by the Hawaii Airports Administrator, who manages six governing bodies responsible for areas such as airport operations, planning, engineering, and information technology. This administrative structure ensures the smooth functioning and management of Kahului Airport and other airports within the region.
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Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island
Hawaii has five international airports and six regional airports, with each of the major Hawaiian Islands featuring an airport. One of these is the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island. The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is located in West Hawaii at Keahole, 7 miles north of Kailua-Kona and 25 miles southwest of Waikoloa. It is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii, serving transpacific and interisland flights. The airport is easy to navigate and has a unique look and feel due to its open-air design and tiki hut-style roofs. The airport covers 4,204 acres of land at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway, which, at 11,000 feet long, is the second-longest runway in the Hawaiian Islands. The length of the runway allows much larger aircraft to use the airport, facilitating nonstop flights to destinations like Tokyo and cities on the US West Coast.
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Hawaii, alongside the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Oahu and the Kahului Airport on Maui. It is one of two major airports on the Big Island, the other being the Hilo International Airport on the island's eastern side. The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is within close proximity to popular destinations like the Kailua-Kona coast and Kekaha Kai State Beach.
Renting a car at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is a convenient option, with most major car rental companies having offices in front of the airport. Local companies often offer the best rates, but it is recommended to book in advance as the car supply on the Big Island can be limited during busy periods. Shuttle services are also available, with some hotels offering free shuttle services, while taxi services are typically expensive and best used only for travelling to and from the airport.
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Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the Big Island
Hawaii has five international airports and six regional airports, with each of the major Hawaiian Islands featuring at least one airport. One of these airports is Hilo International Airport (ITO), located on the Big Island. The airport is situated on the eastern side of the island, just a few miles from the island's biggest city, Hilo, and is much smaller than its sister airport, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). Hilo International Airport is within easy reach of downtown Hilo, with the highway to Volcano, Kona, and Waimea passing right in front of the airport.
Hilo International Airport is served primarily by inter-island flights, with Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele offering flights to Hilo from Honolulu International Airport (HNL), and United Airlines providing services from Los Angeles and San Francisco. In the past, other airlines such as Northwest, United, Continental, and Western have operated flights to Hilo, with some offering non-stop services from the US mainland. Today, if you plan to fly into Hilo, you will most likely have to connect through Honolulu or the Kahului Airport on Maui.
The airport features a central building of just under 120,000 square feet, with eastern and western wings occupying over 50,000 square feet each. The apron in front of the passenger terminal has ten aircraft parking positions, with eight usable spots and the remaining two accommodating eleven helicopter parking positions. There are seven passenger loading bridges, and a commuter terminal located in a separate building about 0.25 miles west of the main terminal.
Hilo International Airport is a great starting point for exploring the Big Island's attractions. The breathtaking Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stunning black sand beaches like Punaluu are just 45 minutes away by car. The airport's convenient location and connections to other Hawaiian islands make it a popular gateway for both local and international travellers.
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Lihue Airport (LIH) on the island of Kauai
Hawaii is home to five international airports and six regional airports, each of the major Hawaiian Islands features an airport, providing easy access to a variety of attractions and eco-friendly destinations. One of the major airports in Hawaii is the Lihue Airport (LIH) on the island of Kauai.
Lihue Airport is the primary airport on the Island of Kauai, handling both overseas and interisland flights. The airport is located about 1.5 miles east of Lihue, on the southeast coast of the island of Kauai. It is a small but efficient airport, occupying 883.583 acres of land. The airport is in close proximity to popular tourist areas such as Princeville and is also known for its beautiful beaches, exciting water sports, and Waimea Canyon.
Lihue Airport provides passenger and aircraft facilities for domestic, overseas, and inter-island carriers, commuter/air taxi, air cargo, heliport, and general aviation. The airfield facilities include two runways, taxiways, aprons, eight gates, navigational aids, an airport traffic control tower, and helipads. Vehicular access to the airport is provided by Ahukini Road, which connects to Kapule Highway. The passenger terminal is served by a one-way loop roadway branching off Ahukini Road and encircling a public parking lot.
Several airlines serve Lihue Airport, including Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, WestJet, and American Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines operates a Premier Lounge at the airport, which is open to first-class travelers. The Kauaʻi Bus route 100/200 connects the airport to downtown Lihue, making it convenient for passengers to travel to and from the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest and busiest airport in Hawaii is the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu.
Other major airports in Hawaii include Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island, Lihue Airport on Kauai, and Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the Big Island.
Hawaii is primarily reached by plane, and it is important to book flights in advance, especially during peak seasons. Peak travel times at Hawaii airports are typically between 10 am and 3 pm for arrivals, so planning flights outside these hours can help travellers avoid long queues and delays.
