Main Hawaiian Island Airports

Hawaii has five major commercial airports spread across four islands, plus four smaller airports that mostly handle local inter-island service. Nearly every mainland flight to Hawaii lands at one of the five majors: HNL on Oahu, OGG on Maui, KOA or ITO on the Big Island, and LIH on Kauai. Which one you fly into dictates how much driving you'll do on arrival day, so it matters — a lot. For a quick airport-by-stay-region comparison, use our Hawaii airport arrival planner.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu is Hawaii's main hub. It was renamed in 2017 to honor the late Senator Daniel Inouye. Most mainland US, international, and long-haul flights land here, and HNL is the only airport in the state with non-stop service to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. From HNL, Waikiki is about a 20–30 minute drive.

Kahului Airport (OGG) is Maui's main gateway and one of Hawaii's busiest neighbor-island airports. Most Maui-bound flights from the mainland West Coast land here, along with inter-island connections. Kahului sits in central Maui — Kaanapali and Lahaina are about 45 minutes west, and the Wailea resort coast is about 25 minutes south.

The Big Island has two commercial airports. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the leeward (west) coast serves the resort coast from Kailua-Kona up to Waikoloa and Mauna Lani. It was renamed in 2017 for astronaut Ellison Onizuka, who grew up in Kona and died in the Challenger disaster. Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the windward (east) side is the natural gateway if your Big Island trip is focused on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo town, or the Hāmākua Coast. The one-way drive from Kona to Hilo takes 2.5+ hours, so pick your arrival airport carefully.

Lihue Airport (LIH) is Kauai's only commercial airport. It's a small-hub facility with two runways and eight gates, served by most of the major mainland airlines — Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United among them. From LIH, Poipu is about 30 minutes south and Princeville is about 45 minutes north.

The smaller airports — Molokai (MKK), Lanai (LNY), Kapalua West Maui (JHM), and Hana (HNM) on Maui's east end — are served by small turboprops, primarily from Mokulele Airlines and Southern Airways Express. These routes matter most for Molokai, Lanai, and West Maui travelers; Hana's commercial service is limited and intermittent, so confirm current schedules before planning around it.

For inter-island travel, Hawaiian Airlines operates many of the main routes connecting the Hawaiian islands, and Southwest Airlines also runs inter-island service. Details for each airport, terminal maps, and arrival tips are linked below.

Choosing a Hawaii airport?

Turn the airport choice into arrival-day logistics.

The airport you choose affects your first drive, rental car plan, hotel region, and inter-island timing.

Hawaii Flight Times Open Hawaii flight times map

Hawaii Flight Times

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