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Maui has three airports: Kahului Airport (OGG) in northern Maui, Kapalua Airport (JHM) on the island's west side, and Hana Airport (HNM) on the east side. Most travellers opt for Kahului, the island's largest airport, which accommodates direct flights from the US mainland. However, many travellers choose to fly into the smaller Kapalua airport to cut down on commute time to popular tourist areas like Kaanapali and Lahaina. Hana Airport is quite isolated, so it is best to fly there only if you plan to stay in Hana town or the surrounding area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports in Maui | 3 |
| Maui's Main Airport | Kahului Airport (OGG) |
| Location of Kahului Airport | Northern Maui |
| Distance from Kahului Airport to Kaanapali | 45-minute drive |
| Distance from Kahului Airport to Lahaina | 40-45 minutes drive |
| Distance from Kahului Airport to Kihei | 30 minutes drive |
| Distance from Kahului Airport to Wailea | 35 minutes drive |
| Facilities at Kahului Airport | Multiple options for dining and shopping, public parking, internet services, ATMs, taxis, and eight different car rental companies |
| Other Airports in Maui | Kapalua Airport (JHM), Hana Airport (HNM) |
| Location of Kapalua Airport | West side of Maui |
| Location of Hana Airport | East side of Maui |
| Airlines Operating from Kapalua Airport | Mokulele Airlines, Ohana (run by Hawaiian Airlines), Makani Kai Air, Pacific Wings |
| Facilities at Kapalua Airport | Public restrooms, ATMs, parking, vending machines |
| Airlines Operating from Hana Airport | Makani Kai Air, Mokulele Airlines, Pacific Wings |
| Location of Hana Airport | Three miles northwest of the town of Hana |
| Facilities at Hana Airport | None mentioned |
| Other Airports Serving Maui | Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oʻahu |
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What You'll Learn
- Kahului Airport: Maui's main airport, accommodating international flights
- Kapalua Airport: Closest airport to Lahaina, served by commuter airlines
- Hana Airport: Serviced by Makani Kai Air and Mokulele Airlines
- Honolulu International Airport: An option for those flying to Maui via O'ahu
- Car rental: Kahului has a wider selection of car rental companies
Kahului Airport: Maui's main airport, accommodating international flights
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the main airport on Maui, located in the northern part of the island. It is the second busiest airport in the state, accommodating both overseas flights from the mainland US and inter-island flights. The airport has multiple dining and shopping options, as well as public parking, internet services, ATMs, taxis, and eight different car rental companies.
The airport has undergone several expansions to accommodate larger aircraft and increasing passenger numbers. In 2005, the ticket lobby and baggage claim areas were expanded, and a new airport access road was constructed in 2016. A consolidated rental car facility, linked to the terminal by a tram, opened in 2019. In 2025, a major renovation on the south side of the terminal created a large, air-conditioned waiting area.
There are ongoing plans to further expand and modernise the airport to elevate it to an international airport standard. The Master Plan, with a 20-year development timeline, aims to accommodate a larger number of passengers and host larger aircraft. By 2035, Kahului Airport is expected to be fully prepared to become a permanent international airport with service routes from Canada and Japan.
Kahului Airport is accessible by public transport, with the Maui Bus operating two routes: Route 35 Haiku Islander and Route 40 Upcountry Islander. These routes connect the airport with nearby towns and provide connections to other parts of the island.
While Kahului Airport is the main airport for Maui, there are two smaller commuter airports on the island: Kapalua Airport (JHM) on the west side and Hana Airport (HNM) on the east side. These smaller airports may be more convenient for travellers staying in certain areas, such as Kaanapali and Lahaina, as they can reduce commute time. However, it is important to note that these airports only accommodate smaller planes and have more limited facilities.
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Kapalua Airport: Closest airport to Lahaina, served by commuter airlines
If you're looking for the closest airport to Lahaina, Kapalua Airport (JHM) is your best option. Located on the west side of Maui, it is just 6 miles or about a 15-minute drive from the centre of Lahaina.
Kapalua Airport is a small airport that exclusively serves commercial propeller air carriers, commuter airlines, and air taxi aircraft. It is served by commuter airlines such as Mokulele Airlines, Ohana (operated by Hawaiian Airlines), and Makani Kai Air. These airlines connect Kapalua Airport to other parts of Hawaii, including Honolulu.
The airport is basic in terms of amenities, with public restrooms, ATMs, parking, and vending machines for drinks, snacks, and newspapers. There are no dining or shopping facilities, but there is a snack bar, lounge, newsstand, and gift shop. The airport does not have any car rental facilities on-site, but the major car rental companies on the island offer shuttle services to their nearby depots.
Kapalua Airport is a convenient option for those staying in Lahaina or Kaanapali, as it significantly reduces travel time compared to flying into Maui's main airport, Kahului Airport, which is about a 45-minute drive from Lahaina. However, it is important to note that planes arrive on the tarmac at Kapalua Airport, and passengers disembark via stairs. Additionally, the airport only operates during daylight hours, so evening arrivals are not possible.
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Hana Airport: Serviced by Makani Kai Air and Mokulele Airlines
Hana Airport is one of three airports on Maui, along with Kahului Airport and Kapalua Airport. The airport is located about three miles northwest of Hana town, off of Hana Highway on Alalele Place. It is a small airport, serving commuter, unscheduled air taxi, and general aviation activities (such as tours) through a single runway.
Hana Airport is serviced by Makani Kai Air and Mokulele Airlines. Makani Kai Air is an FAA Part 135 scheduled air carrier based in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a subsidiary of Schuman Aviation Company and Mokulele Airlines. The airline offers regularly scheduled passenger services between Honolulu International Airport, Hoolehua Airport, Molokai, Kalaupapa Airport, Molokai, Kahului, Maui, and Princeville Airport, Kauai.
In June 2013, Makani Kai began regular daily service to Molokai at the Hoolehua Airport. On May 1, 2019, the airline began twice-daily services between Honolulu International Airport and Princeville Airport on Kauai. On August 1, 2019, Makani Kai Air began air service between Kahului, Maui, and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. On June 3, 2020, Makani Kai announced it would be merging with Mokulele Airlines, with the new airline operating under the Mokulele brand.
Mokulele Airlines is a regional airline operating in Hawaii. The airline operates scheduled inter-island and charter flights, primarily between smaller airports and its hubs at Kahului Airport on the island of Maui and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The airline was founded in 1994 as Mokulele Flight Service by Rebecca "Kawehi" Inaba and became the first airline in Hawaii founded by a Native Hawaiian woman. Mokulele is the Hawaiian word for "flying ship".
In early 2012, Mesa Air Group announced it would rebrand its jets operations back to the go! name as the name go!Mokulele and Mokulele was causing some brand confusion among the two companies. In April 2012, the airline started operating daily services between Maui and Lanai. In July 2012, the airline returned to Kapalua Airport in West Maui, with flights from Honolulu to Kapalua twice per day. In October 2012, the airline brought a new city to the network, Hana, located on the far east side of Maui. The airline also outsourced eight flights a day to Schuman Aviation – Makani Kai, to bring additional frequencies on the Maui – Kona route.
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Honolulu International Airport: An option for those flying to Maui via O'ahu
Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oʻahu is a viable option for travellers flying to Maui, especially if they are coming from overseas. From Honolulu, it is just a short 30-minute flight to Maui. There are at least three airlines offering direct flights from Honolulu to Kahului Airport (OGG), Maui's main airport, with an average flight time of 37 minutes.
For those who are only visiting Maui for a short time, flying into Kahului Airport is a convenient option. It is Maui's largest airport and the second busiest in the state, offering both overseas and inter-island flights. It is also easily accessible from popular tourist areas such as Kaanapali and Lahaina, which are about a 45-minute drive away. In addition, Kahului Airport has multiple options for dining and shopping, as well as various amenities like public parking, internet services, ATMs, and car rental services.
However, travellers should be aware that the Kahului Airport is quite busy, and they may encounter long lines and large crowds. An alternative is to fly into one of Maui's two smaller commuter airports: Kapalua Airport (JHM) or Hana Airport (HNM). These airports are much smaller and less crowded, but they only serve commuter, unscheduled air taxi, and general aviation activities. They also do not have dining or shopping facilities, although basic amenities like restrooms, ATMs, parking, and vending machines are available.
Ultimately, the choice of airport will depend on the traveller's specific needs and preferences. Honolulu International Airport is a good option for those coming from overseas, as it offers a convenient connection to Maui. For those who want to avoid the crowds and prefer a more intimate airport experience, the smaller commuter airports on Maui may be a better choice.
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Car rental: Kahului has a wider selection of car rental companies
Kahului Airport is the largest airport in Maui, located in northern Maui. It is the second busiest airport in the state, providing flights from the mainland US and inter-island. It is also the main airport for Maui's tour operators for aviation and helicopter tours. The airport is about a 45-minute drive from some of the island's more popular tourist areas, such as Kaanapali and Lahaina.
Kahului Airport has a wide selection of car rental companies on the property, including Alamo Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent-A-Car, Budget Rent-A-Car, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and Hertz Rent-A-Car. These companies offer a range of vehicles, including Jeeps, SUVs, minivans, and economy cars, to suit different rental needs.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, for example, offers a wide selection of clean and sanitized vehicles at competitive rates. They are located a short 5-minute drive from Kahului city center, providing easy access to various attractions, such as snorkeling spots, whale-watching tours, surfing, and top-notch golf courses.
Budget Rent-A-Car, another option at Kahului Airport, provides a range of quality OGG airport car rentals at affordable prices. They offer various vehicles, including Jeeps, SUVs, minivans, and economy cars, to meet different customer needs. Budget has a convenient location, with the rental counter and cars right at the airport in the Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility.
In addition to the car rental options at Kahului Airport, there are other transportation methods available on Maui, such as shuttle services, tour buses, taxis, and public transportation. However, to fully explore all that Maui has to offer, renting a car is recommended.
Maui also has two smaller commuter airports: Kapalua Airport (JHM) in West Maui and Hana Airport (HNM) in East Maui. These airports are much smaller and serve only commuter, unscheduled air taxis, and general aviation activities. The Kapalua Airport does not have car rental facilities on-site, but the major car rental companies on the island offer services from nearby facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Maui has two smaller commuter airports, Kapalua Airport (JHM) and Hana Airport (HNM), which you can fly into to avoid the crowds and long lines at the larger Kahului Airport.
Kahului Airport is a good option if you want to rent a car as all the major rental car companies are located there.
Kapalua Airport is the closest airport to Lahaina, located about 15 minutes away.
Kahului Airport is the major airport in Maui and the only airport on the island that can accommodate direct flights from the U.S. mainland and international flights.
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