Ruth Haines
The Island of Hawai'i, also known as the Big Island, has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO). The former is the primary airport on the island, located in Kailua-Kona, serving transpacific and interisland flights. The latter is located on the eastern side of the island and is known for its relaxed pace of life. Both airports offer easy access to the famous Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole |
| Accommodates major air traffic | Yes |
| Location | West Hawaii at Keahole |
| Airport code | KOA |
| Area code | (808) |
| Airport visitor information | (808) 329-3423 |
| Rental car agencies available | Yes |
| Most visitors arrive here | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)
The airport is named after astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In 1991, a small museum called the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center opened at the airport, featuring displays such as a sample of lunar soil, a spacesuit from Apollo 13, and personal items belonging to Onizuka. The airport was officially renamed after Onizuka on January 8, 2017.
The Kona International Airport covers 4,204 acres (1,701 ha) of land and sits at an elevation of 47 feet (14 m) above mean sea level. It is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps instead of jet bridges. The airport consists of two terminals, with the parking lot located across the street. The first 15 minutes of parking are free. The airport offers free and unlimited WiFi, as well as shops and dining options both before and after security control.
The airport's single asphalt runway was extended to 11,000 feet (3,400 m) in 1994, making it the second-longest runway in the Hawaiian Islands after Honolulu. This extension allowed much larger aircraft to use the airport, enabling nonstop flights between Kona and destinations such as Tokyo and cities on the US West Coast.
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Hilo International Airport (ITO)
The airport is named after General Lyman Field, and the first interim overseas terminal was completed in 1969. The Hilo Airport Advisory Committee, appointed by Governor John Burns, recommended relocating terminals to the south of the newly lengthened Runway 8-26. This new terminal was designed to accommodate the largest passenger airliner in service at the time: the Boeing 747. The first 747 landed at the airport in 1971, and a new terminal was built in 1975. In 1979, a new air traffic control tower was opened to better serve the airport and its lengthened runway.
Hilo International Airport is the smallest of Hawaii's five major airports in terms of passenger arrivals and departures. It is also the state's only major airport without non-stop flights to North America. In 1973, the airport saw 1,357,818 passengers, a number that only slightly decreased by 2008, with 1,352,808 passengers. Traffic at the airport peaked in 1997, with 1,669,314 people, and an almost identical number of passengers passed through in 2007.
Rental car agencies are located at the airport, and taxis are available curbside.
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Car rental services at Kona and Hilo airports
The Big Island, Hawaii, is served by two airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. Both airports offer car rental services, with a range of options to choose from.
Car Rental Services at Kona International Airport
Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is located in West Hawaii. The airport's car rental centre offers a wide selection of vehicles, including economy cars, minivans, trucks, and SUVs. These vehicles are available at competitive rates and can be rented for 4 hours, daily, or weekly. The centre is open 24 hours a day and provides a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Some of the car rental companies operating at Kona International Airport include Alamo, Hertz, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise, Payless, Avis, National, and KAYAK. It is recommended to book your rental car at least one day in advance to obtain a below-average price. When renting a car, you will need a driver's license and a major credit card for a security deposit. International renters may also need to provide a passport.
Car Rental Services at Hilo International Airport
Hilo International Airport, often referred to as ITO, is located a short drive from Hilo city centre. Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget Car Rental are two of the car rental companies serving this airport. Enterprise offers a wide selection of vehicles, including jeeps and convertibles, which are ideal for exploring the island. Budget Car Rental provides low rates and a free pick-up service. Similar to Kona International Airport, a major credit card is typically required for the security deposit when renting a car at Hilo International Airport.
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Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Honolulu International Airport, also known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), is the largest airport in the State of Hawaii. It is located in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu, about 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Honolulu's central business district. The airport covers 4,220 acres (1,710 ha), which is more than 1% of Oʻahu's land. It 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.
HNL is the main hub for Hawaiian Airlines and a base for Aloha Air Cargo. The airport offers nonstop flights to many destinations in North America, Asia, and Oceania. Some of the nonstop destinations include Anchorage, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Guam, Haneda, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Sydney, and Vancouver. The airport also serves as a connecting point for travellers heading to the Big Island, with short 35-40 minute flights available to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kona and Hilo International Airport (ITO) in Hilo.
HNL has three terminals, with Terminal 2 being the largest and the only one capable of handling international arrivals and departures. The Wiki Wiki Shuttle, a free shuttle bus, operates between the ticket lobbies of all three terminals and between the concourses of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 post-security. A new consolidated rental car facility opened in December 2021, bringing all rental car companies into one shared location with 4,500 parking spaces.
Honolulu International Airport has a rich history, dating back to the 1930s. It was the first full airport in Hawaii, as prior to that, aircraft were limited to small landing strips, fields, and seaplane docks. The adjacent Keehi Lagoon was used by seaplanes from 1939 to 1943, and the dredged soil was used to expand the airport for conventional planes. During World War II, the U.S. military took over the airport, and it was renamed Naval Air Station Honolulu. The Navy constructed a control tower and terminal building, and the airport resumed commercial operations after the war, becoming one of the largest airports in the United States at the time.
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Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport's unique ramp
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, also known as Keāhole-Kona International Airport, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaiʻi. It is located in West Hawaiʻi at Keahole and serves transpacific and interisland flights. The airport is named after astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
The airport has a unique ramp system, being the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps instead of modern jet bridges. Despite this, the airport still accommodates large airliners such as the Airbus A321, A330, and Boeing 717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. The commercial passenger facility is divided into three terminals: Terminal 1 includes gates 1-5, Terminal 2 includes gates 6-10, and Terminal 3 hosts smaller commuter flights.
The airport's runway was extended to 11,000 feet (3,400 meters) in 1994, making it the second-longest in the Hawaiian Islands after Honolulu. This extension allowed much larger aircraft to use the airport, enabling non-stop flights between Kona and destinations like Tokyo and cities beyond the West Coast hubs in the United States. The longer runway also facilitated the operation of larger jets by airlines such as United Airlines, which began offering non-stop services to Kona from Los Angeles and San Francisco in the early 1980s.
The unique ramp system and the airport's ability to accommodate large aircraft have contributed to its role in facilitating tourism to the western side of the Big Island. Before the airport's construction in 1970, tourism was mainly centred around Hilo on the eastern side. The opening of the airport accelerated a shift in tourism towards West Hawaiʻi, with the percentage of accommodations on the western side increasing to 86% by 2005.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Island, officially known as Hawaii Island, has two primary airports: Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO).
Kona International Airport is located on the west side of the island, in Kailua-Kona, and is the busiest and
The choice between Kona and Hilo airports depends on your travel goals and preferences. If your itinerary includes beach days, water sports, or resort stays, Kona Airport is typically the more convenient option. On the other hand, if you plan to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls, and rainforests, flying into Hilo may save you time and provide easier access to nature-focused attractions.
