Ruth Haines
Hilo International Airport (ITO) is one of the two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is located about two miles east of Hilo, on the eastern shore of the island. The airport was previously known as General Lyman Field, named after Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry. Today, the airport serves most of East Hawaiʻi, including the districts of Hilo and Puna. As for the IATA code 'ITO', there are a few theories as to why it was chosen. One theory suggests that it was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito. Another theory suggests that ITO was chosen because the codes for Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia (HIL) and Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines (ILO) were already taken, and ITO sounds similar to Hilo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of theories | 3 |
| First theory | Hilo Airport was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito |
| Second theory | The airport was called ITO because in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, thus HIlo TOwn being the closest city or town to the airport |
| Third theory | The airport was called ITO because both HIL (Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia) and ILO (Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines) were already taken |
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What You'll Learn
Named after Hawaiian Airlines manager, Mr. Ito
One of the three possible origins of the Hilo/ITO connection is that the airport was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito. The three-letter code ITO is called the IATA (International Airport Transportation Association) airport code. The airport was named ITO because both HIL (Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia) and ILO (Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines) were already taken. ITO also sounds a lot like Hilo.
Mr. Ito was one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers. The airport code ITO may have been derived from his surname, as it closely resembles the airport's name. This theory is supported by the fact that other airports' codes often resemble the airports' names, such as KOA (Kona) and HNL (Honolulu).
The other two theories for the origin of the airport's name are less closely related to Mr. Ito. One theory suggests that the name came about because, in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, and so HIlo TOwn may have become the name of the airport as it was the closest city or town to the airport. Another theory suggests that the name ITO was chosen simply because the codes HIL and ILO were already taken by other airports.
While the exact reason for the airport's name remains uncertain, the possibility that it was named after Mr. Ito, a station manager for Hawaiian Airlines, is a compelling and fitting tribute to an individual who likely played an important role in the airport's operations and history.
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Acronyms HIL and ILO already taken
Hilo International Airport is referred to by the IATA code ITO. There are several theories as to why the airport was designated ITO. One theory suggests that the code was chosen to honour one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito. Another theory suggests that the code ILO for Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines, and the code HIL for Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia were already taken, so ITO was chosen as it sounded similar to Hilo. A third theory suggests that in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, and so the airport was designated ITO as it was the closest city or town to the airport.
The three-letter IATA airport codes are used to identify most airports around the world and often resemble the name of the airport. For example, the two largest airports in Hawaii are Kona (KOA) and Honolulu (HNL). In the case of Hilo International Airport, the code ITO may have been chosen due to the similarity to the name Hilo, especially considering that the codes for other airports with similar names were already taken.
The IATA code is used in baggage tags, and it is important for each airport to have a unique code to avoid confusion. While the exact reason for the choice of ITO as the code for Hilo International Airport may never be known, it is likely that the similarity to the name Hilo played a role, along with the fact that other similar codes were already taken.
While the exact date of when the IATA code ITO was assigned to Hilo International Airport is not clear, it is known that the airport has undergone various developments and expansions over the years. The airport first began as a single landing strip just outside of Hilo in 1929 and was expanded by the Army Engineers during World War II for military use. In 1943, the airport was renamed General Lyman Field in honour of Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry.
In the late 1950s, plans were made to expand the airport to accommodate larger jet aircraft and overseas flights. The expansion included the addition of a second runway capable of handling non-stop flights to the west coast of the United States. The first phase of this expansion was completed by 1963, and the new runway was dedicated in 1965. With the expansion, the airport began to serve interisland jet service from Honolulu and Maui, operated by Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
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Hilo Town, the closest city to the airport
Hilo Town is the closest city to the airport, also known as Hilo International Airport (ITO). The airport is located just a few miles from downtown Hilo, with the highway to Volcano, Kona, and Waimea passing right by it. It is one of two major airports on the Big Island of Hawaii, the other being Kona International Airport (KOA), situated 8 miles above Kailua-Kona on the west coast.
Hilo Town boasts a vibrant coastal setting with an abundance of natural wonders and attractions. The city's tropical rainforest climate contributes to its lush greenery and breathtaking scenery. Visitors can enjoy stunning waterfalls, black sand beaches, botanical gardens, and cultural landmarks. The weather in Hilo is characterised by consistent rainfall throughout the year, with the wettest months from October to April. However, the rain showers are often brief and interspersed with sunny intervals, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The city of Hilo offers a range of experiences for travellers. One popular attraction is the Hilo Farmers Market, the largest on the island, where visitors can find fresh produce, snacks, and traditional Hawaiian dishes. Coconut Island, once an ancient refuge, is now a family-oriented park with bridges, a lava tower, and stunning views of the bay and Hilo Town. For nature enthusiasts, Rainbow Falls and the series of waterfalls along the Wailuku River are a must-see. The town also features Banyan Drive, a street lined with mature banyan trees planted by notable figures, and Reeds Bay, a larger bay perfect for water sports.
Hilo International Airport provides convenient access to Hilo Town and its surroundings. Visitors can choose from various transportation options, including rental cars, taxis, and public bus services, to explore the city and its natural wonders. The airport itself showcases an indoor/outdoor concept, and its warm staff embodies the Aloha spirit of Hawaii. With its proximity to Hilo Town and the array of experiences the city offers, Hilo International Airport serves as a gateway to the beauty and culture of the Big Island of Hawaii.
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General Lyman Field, a former name
Hilo International Airport was known as General Lyman Field prior to 1989. The airport was renamed General Lyman Field, in honour of Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, in 1943. General Albert Kualiʻi Brickwood Lyman was the first United States Army General of Hawaiian ancestry.
During the late 1950s, Territorial leaders anticipated a boom in tourism, prompting plans for a second runway capable of accommodating large jet aircraft. The Hawaiʻi Aeronautics Commission recommended that General Lyman Field be expanded for overseas flights. In April 1958, the territory acquired 91.6 acres on the eastern edge of the airport for a longer runway to enable non-stop flights to the US West Coast. The first phase was completed by April 1963, and the 9,800 feet runway was dedicated on 6 March 1965.
Interisland jet service from Honolulu and Maui was introduced by Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines during the mid-1960s. In 1966, Aloha was serving Hilo with British Aircraft Corporation BAC One-Eleven jets, as well as with Fairchild F-27 and Vickers Viscount turboprops. During this time, Hawaiian was serving the airport with Douglas DC-9-10 jets and Convair 640 turboprops.
There are three theories as to why the airport code for Hilo International Airport is ITO. The first is that the airport was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito. The second is that the airport was named ITO because the codes ILO (Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines) and HIL (Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia) were already taken, and ITO sounds a lot like Hilo. The third theory is that in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, and so HIlo TOwn became the closest city or town to the airport.
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Military use and expansion during World War II
Hilo International Airport, also known as ITO, is located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The airport is situated about two miles east of Hilo, the largest city on the island. During World War II, the airport was taken over by the U.S. military, specifically the Army Engineers. This marked a significant shift in the airport's use and expansion.
Prior to World War II, Hilo's airfield had undergone minimal improvements. Between 1927 and 1937, approximately $34,000 was spent on developing the site. However, in the following years, the Works Progress Administration invested a substantial amount of $261,613 to upgrade the airport. Additionally, in 1941, the Civil Aeronautics Administration provided $314,000 for further enhancements.
With the United States' entry into World War II, the Army Engineers took control of Hilo Airport and all other airports in the Hawaiian Islands. They constructed military installations and significantly expanded the facility to accommodate their needs. This included expanding and improving runways, taxiways, and aprons to support an Air Corp fighter squadron based at Hilo. The presence of the military at Hilo Airport was a critical aspect of the war effort and ensured the island was prepared for potential conflicts in the Pacific Theatre.
On April 19, 1943, the airport was officially renamed "General Lyman Field," honouring Brigadier General Albert Kualii Brickwood Lyman, the first U.S. Army General of Hawaiian ancestry. This name change reflected the airport's transformation into a military facility and served as a tribute to a distinguished Hawaiian military leader.
Following World War II, the airport continued to undergo expansions and improvements. During the late 1950s, plans were made for a second runway capable of accommodating large jet aircraft. This expansion reflected the anticipated boom in tourism and the need for enhanced transportation infrastructure. The Hawaiʻi Aeronautics Commission recommended expanding General Lyman Field for overseas flights, and by April 1963, the first phase of this expansion was completed. The new 9,800-foot runway was dedicated on March 6, 1965, paving the way for non-stop flights to the west coast of the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three possible reasons. Firstly, it was named after one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers, Mr. Ito. Secondly, ILO (Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Philippines) and HIL (Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia) were already taken, and ITO sounded similar to Hilo. Thirdly, in the first half of the twentieth century, residents of the Big Island of Hawaii referred to the City of Hilo as Hilo Town, thus Hilo Town being the closest city or town to the airport.
Mr. Ito was one of the first Hawaiian Airlines Hilo Airport station managers.
ITO is the IATA (International Airport Transportation Association) airport code for Hilo Airport.
Hilo is the name of the city the airport is located in.
Some other airport codes for airports in Hawaii include KOA (Kona) and HNL (Honolulu).
