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The Big Island, also known as the Island of Hawaiʻi, has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Hilo International Airport (ITO) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). Hilo International Airport is located on the east side of the island in Hilo Town, while Kona International Airport is located on the west side in Kailua-Kona. Both airports offer easy access to the island's top attractions, including the famous beaches on the Kona coast, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the Mauna Kea Visitor Center.
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What You'll Learn
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport
The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In 1991, a small museum, the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, opened at the airport, featuring displays including a sample of lunar soil, a spacesuit from Apollo 13, and personal items belonging to Onizuka. The Onizuka Space Center closed in March 2016 to enable the airport's modernisation project, and the airport was renamed after Onizuka in January 2017.
Kona International Airport covers 4,204 acres at an elevation of 47 feet above mean sea level. The airport has a single runway, which, at 11,000 feet long, is the second-longest runway in the Hawaiian Islands, allowing much larger aircraft to use the airport. The runway enables nonstop flights between Kona and Tokyo or destinations in the US beyond the West Coast hubs. The airport is also the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps, rather than jet bridges.
Kona International Airport is the best airport to fly into if you plan on staying in the resort areas of Waikoloa or Kailua-Kona, which are located north and south of the airport respectively. Waikoloa is home to several famous resorts and hotels, as well as black sand beaches and activities such as golfing and night diving with manta rays. The Kona coast is also known for its beaches, which are nicknamed the 'Gold Coast' due to their sunny weather.
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Hilo International Airport
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii in Hilo Town. It is served by interisland airlines and provides access to the eastern part of the island.
In 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 2006, ATA Airlines re-established daily non-stop service between Hilo and Oakland International Airport, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the airport had direct overseas service. This route proved successful, and ATA Airlines eventually substituted a larger aircraft during the peak travelling season. However, in 2008, ATA Airlines ceased operations due to increased fuel prices and the cancellation of a charter flight agreement.
Many locals and residents fly in and out of Hilo International Airport due to its proximity to their friends' and family's homes. Visitors who plan to explore both the east and west sides of the island may find it convenient to fly into Hilo first, as it provides easier access to attractions like the Mauna Kea Visitor Center and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The most beautiful beaches on the Big Island are located on the Kona coast, which is accessible from Hilo but further away. Therefore, visitors who prioritise beach vacations may prefer to fly directly into Kona International Airport.
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Kona airport location
Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of Hawaii's Big Island. The airport's IATA code is KOA, and it is the primary airport on the Big Island. It is one of two airports on the island that accommodate major air traffic, the other being Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the east side.
Kona International Airport serves the western region of the Big Island, including the resorts in North Kona and South Kohala. It is known for its easy access to the beaches on the Kona coast, which is nicknamed the "Gold Coast" due to its sunny weather and variety of resorts. The airport is also conveniently located near famous resorts and hotels in Waikoloa, north of Kailua-Kona, offering activities such as golfing and night diving with manta rays.
The airport is included in the Federal Aviation Administration's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021-2025 and is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility. Interestingly, much of the runway is built on a relatively recent lava flow, the 1801 Huʻehuʻe flow from Hualālai, which added approximately 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) of land to the island.
Kona International Airport is unique as it is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps instead of jet bridges. Despite this, the airport accommodates large airliners, including Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airport also houses a small museum, the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, which features exhibits such as lunar soil, a spacesuit from Apollo 13, and personal items from Astronaut Ellison Onizuka.
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Hilo airport location
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is located on the east side of the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It is situated just two miles east of the city of Hilo, the largest city on the Big Island. The airport is served by interisland airlines and provides access to the eastern part of the island.
Hilo International Airport is known for its efficiency, convenience, comfort, and the welcoming spirit of Aloha that embodies the Hawaiian Islands. The airport features a passenger terminal complex, including commuter facilities, located at the southern edge of the airport. The main passenger terminal consists of three interconnected buildings, totalling approximately 220,000 square feet. The central building occupies just under 120,000 square feet, while the western and eastern wings each occupy slightly more than 50,000 square feet.
The airport has a variety of amenities, including an airport lounge, a gift shop, a lei stand, a newsstand, and a restaurant. Information desks and courtesy phones are available to assist visitors, and there is an ATM for added convenience. For those arriving by car, there is ample public parking, including a cell phone lot and designated parking for electric vehicles.
Hilo International Airport is also home to several attractions. Visitors can admire the airport's garden areas, featuring native plants and sculptures, such as the "Lava Forest" created by sculptor Toshiko Takaezu. The General Lyman Exhibit showcases documents, photos, medals, and personal items of Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry. Additionally, the airport offers a Mauna Kea Virtual Tour, providing a glimpse of the telescopes and cameras at the dormant volcano located on the island.
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Kona and Hilo airport codes
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO). Kona International Airport is located on the west side of the Big Island, in Kailua-Kona, while Hilo International Airport is situated on the east side, in Hilo Town.
Kona International Airport is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii, serving transpacific and interisland flights. The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who was born and raised in Kona and died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. It is conveniently located near popular resorts and hotels in Waikoloa and is known for its nearby active volcanoes, golf courses, and scenic coastline. The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history, reflecting the geographical location and the nearby resort town of Kona.
Hilo International Airport, on the other hand, is located on the east side of the island, providing access to attractions such as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The airport has a rich history, with improvements and expansions taking place over several decades. It was once named "General Lyman Field" after General Albert Kualiʻi Brickwood Lyman, the first U.S. General of Hawaiian ancestry.
When deciding which airport to fly into, visitors should consider their itinerary and the specific attractions they plan to visit. Both airports offer unique advantages, and the choice depends on whether one intends to explore the east or west side of the Big Island first.
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Frequently asked questions
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO).
Kona International Airport is located on the west side of the Big Island, in Kailua-Kona.
Hilo International Airport is located on the east side of the Big Island, in Hilo Town.
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the primary airport on the Big Island.
The IATA code for Kona International Airport is KOA, and the ICAO code is PHKO.
