Roberta Aguirre
The Big Island, or the Island of Hawaiʻi, has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and the Hilo International Airport (ITO). Kona International Airport is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island, while Hilo International Airport is situated in Hilo Town on the east side.
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What You'll Learn
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii
- Kona International Airport is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island
- Hilo International Airport is the second airport on the island, located on the east side
- Kona International Airport has three terminals and is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps
- Hilo International Airport is a laidback airport with tropical plants and outdoor seating
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, also known by its airport code KOA, is the primary airport serving the Island of Hawaii, often referred to as the Big Island. It is one of two airports on the island, the other being Hilo International Airport (ITO). Kona International Airport is located on the west side of the island, in Kailua-Kona, while Hilo International Airport is situated on the east side, in Hilo Town.
Kona International Airport serves both transpacific and interisland flights, accommodating large airliners such as the Airbus A321 and A330, as well as the Boeing 717, 737, 757, 767, 777, and 787. The airport consists of three terminals, with gates 1 through 5 in Terminal 1, gates 6 through 10 in Terminal 2, and smaller commuter flights operating out of Terminal 3. Kona International Airport is known for its unique, tropical-style architecture, with open-air structures and a distinct island sensibility. The airport facilities have recently undergone multimillion-dollar upgrades, adding modern conveniences while retaining the iconic Hawaiian character.
The airport is named after Ellison Onizuka, an astronaut who perished in the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986. A small museum, the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, is located within the airport and features exhibits such as a sample of lunar soil, a spacesuit from Apollo 13, and personal items belonging to Onizuka. The airport's runway is also notable, as it is the second-longest in the Hawaiian Islands, measuring 11,000 feet (3,400 metres) in length.
When deciding which airport to fly into on the Big Island, visitors should consider their travel plans and destinations. Kona International Airport is known for its easy access to the island's beaches and resort areas, including Waikoloa and Kailua-Kona. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the island's most popular attractions, can be reached from both Kona and Hilo, although the drive from Kona may be more scenic and spread out over two days. Hilo International Airport, on the other hand, is preferred by locals and those looking to start their vacation on the east side of the island, gradually making their way west.
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Kona International Airport is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island
Kona International Airport, also known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii. It is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island, serving the western region.
The airport is situated on the west coast of the island, in Kailua-Kona, and is one of two airports accommodating major air traffic to the Big Island. The other airport is Hilo International Airport, which is located on the east side of the island in Hilo Town.
Kona International Airport is a popular choice for visitors to the Big Island, as it offers easy access to the beautiful beaches on the Kona coast. The area is known as the "Gold Coast" due to its sunny weather and array of resorts. The airport is also conveniently located near several famous resorts and hotels in Waikoloa, just north of Kailua-Kona.
The airport itself has a unique design, with tropical-style structures divided into three terminals. It is the only major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps rather than jet bridges. Despite this, it is still used by large airliners such as Airbus and Boeing.
Kona International Airport has recently undergone multimillion-dollar upgrades, improving the facilities while retaining its distinct island character. The airport is known for its outdoor design, with bag check-in and gate areas covered by wood-slatted roof huts that blend seamlessly with the surrounding Hawaiian landscape.
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Hilo International Airport is the second airport on the island, located on the east side
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO). Hilo International Airport is the second airport on the island, located on the east side in Hilo Town. It is the more relaxed of the two airports, with tropical plants and outdoor seating where you can smell the ocean breeze from nearby Hilo Bay. Hilo is also closer to the homes of locals and residents' friends and family, so many prefer to fly in and out of this airport.
Hilo International Airport is the perfect entry point for visitors who want to start their vacation on the east side of the island and work their way west. The airport is situated in Hilo Town, providing access to the eastern part of the island, including the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Mauna Kea Visitor Center. The town itself offers a more relaxed pace of life compared to the west side of the island.
Hilo International Airport is also a great option for those looking to explore the vast expanses of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as it is closer to the park than Kona International Airport. The park is a full-day activity, so staying in Hilo or Volcano can help decrease driving time. In addition, Hilo is a good base for exploring the eastern side of the island, including the Mauna Kea Visitor Center, which is popular for sightseeing, hiking, and stargazing.
Rental car agencies are located at Hilo International Airport, and it is recommended to rent a car to explore the Big Island fully. Driving from Hilo to Kona via Saddle Road is one of the most scenic drives on the Hawaiian Islands, taking you from sea level to over 5,000 feet and through the massive volcanoes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
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Kona International Airport has three terminals and is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps
Kona International Airport, officially known as Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole, is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island. It is located in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island, serving the western region.
The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1, which includes gates 1 through 5; Terminal 2, which includes gates 6 through 10; and Terminal 3, which hosts smaller commuter flights. Kona International Airport is unique in that it is the only remaining major airport in the Hawaiian Islands where passengers board using mobile stairs or ramps, rather than the more modern jet bridges. Despite this, the airport still accommodates large airliners, including Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The airport serves both transpacific and interisland flights, with Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines being the primary carriers during the early to mid-1970s for inter-island flights. In the late 1970s, Hawaiian Airlines operated larger McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50 jets for these flights. By the early 1980s, United Airlines offered nonstop services from Los Angeles and San Francisco using wide-body jets.
Kona International Airport is known for its tropical-style structures, with bag check-in and gate areas entirely outdoors and covered by wood-slatted roof huts. The airport offers easy access to the famous beaches on the Kona coast, often referred to as the "Gold Coast" due to its sunny weather and resorts. It is also near Waikoloa, which features resorts, hotels, golf courses, and black sand beaches.
The airport plays a significant role in tourism on the Big Island, with its construction in 1970 contributing to a shift in tourism from the east to the west side of the island. This shift was further influenced by the opening of resorts in Kona around 1968 and the destruction of seaside hotels in Hilo by a tsunami in 1960.
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Hilo International Airport is a laidback airport with tropical plants and outdoor seating
The Big Island has two airports that accommodate major air traffic: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. Hilo International Airport is a laidback airport with tropical plants and outdoor seating. The airport is located in Hilo Town, providing access to the eastern part of the Big Island. It is situated near Hilo's vibrant coastal city, allowing for easy access to its many attractions and natural wonders.
Hilo International Airport has a unique indoor/outdoor concept, with a small, partially open-air terminal. The airport is surrounded by lush greenery and tropical beauty, creating a laidback and welcoming atmosphere. The occasional rain showers contribute to the vibrant flora, making Hilo a haven for nature enthusiasts.
The airport offers comfortable seating in the departures area, and passengers can also enjoy the outdoors with seating areas in the landside areas. The landside is essentially "open-air," with no seating, so passengers who choose to sleep in the airport overnight will be sleeping outdoors. The airport also provides free WiFi, accessibility services, ATMs, and a gift shop/newsstand airside.
Hilo International Airport is known for its warm and friendly staff, embodying the Aloha spirit. The airport is conveniently located near various attractions, such as the Hilo Farmers Market, the Imiloa Astronomy Center, and the Liliuokalani Gardens. Hilo's attractions are generally spread out, and visitors often enjoy incorporating stops into a long drive to Kona.
Overall, Hilo International Airport provides a relaxing and tropical experience for travellers, with its open-air design, lush greenery, and convenient access to the eastern part of the Big Island.
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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 on the west side of the Big Island, in Kailua-Kona. Hilo International Airport is on the east side, in Hilo Town.
Kona International Airport is the primary airport on the Big Island. It serves transpacific and interisland flights. The airport facilities have recently been upgraded, but they still maintain their distinct island sensibility. Everything from bag check-in to gate areas is entirely outdoors, covered by wood-slatted roof huts. Hilo International Airport is more relaxed, with tropical plants and outdoor seating.
This depends on your itinerary. If you're staying in the resort areas of Waikoloa or Kailua-Kona, Kona International Airport is your best bet. If you're staying in Hilo, it might be more convenient to fly into Hilo International Airport.
