HNL Airport

Hawaii Islands (Oahu)

Honolulu International Airport

Honolulu International Airport is the major aviation gateway for the State of Hawaii. It is the primary hub for domestic overseas and interisland flights and is currently one of two State airports accommodating international flights. Honolulu International also functions as a joint military-civilian airport sharing airfield facilities with Hickam Air Force Base.

The Airport occupies 2,200 acres of land and 2,000 acres of water about three miles west of Downtown Honolulu, and seven miles from Waikiki. The airfield consists of two pairs of parallel runways and associated taxiways and navigational aids.

Facilities include a complex of general aviation, air cargo, and airport support facilities at the south Ramp near Ke'ehi Lagoon and the passenger terminal complex at the North Ramp. A complex of maintenance and air cargo facilities, principally for the interisland airlines, is located west of the terminal complex.

The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Airports Division has developed this Aloha Access Guide to help you get acquainted with Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and to make your passage through HNL as pleasant as possible. Passengers with disabilities will generally find HNL to be wheelchair accessible, although prior planning is advisable to ensure a safe and comfortable trip.

Treminal map shows two levels; Arrivals 2nd floor and Departures 1st floor

Honolulu International Airport is made up of three distinct terminals.

The Main Terminal, which encompasses the majority of the Airport, services domestic and international flights. Arrivals and departures are located on the second level, while the baggage claim areas and ground transportation are located on the first (ground) floor. The two levels may be accessed by either escalator or elevator. Loading bridges are used to enplane and deplane all passengers on the second level.

The Interisland Terminal services flights to and from the major airports on the neighbor islands (Kahului Airport on Maui; Lihue Airport on Kauai; Kona International Airport at Keahole on the island of Hawaii; Hilo International Airport on the island of Hawaii; Lanai Airport on Lanai; and Molokai Airport on Molokai).

The Commuter Terminal services propeller-driven aircrafts traveling to smaller commercial service airports on the neighbor islands (Lanai Airport on Lanai; Hana Airport & Kapalua Airport on Maui; Waimea-Kohala Airport on the Island of Hawaii; and Molokai Airport and Kalaupapa Airport on Molokai ). Commuter aircraft use steps for enplaning and deplaning passengers; therefore lifts are used for passengers with mobility impairments.

Getting around on the Airport

Wiki Wiki Buses - A free Wiki Wiki shuttle service is available to transport passengers between the terminals and stops at the main lobby area, outlying gates, baggage claim and the Interisland terminal. Until all of our Wiki Wiki buses are accessible, our accessible van service, Ka'a Kokua, is available upon request.

Baggage Claim and Arrivals

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture requires passengers arriving with plants, animals, and any agricultural materials to declare them on the Agricultural Declaration Form distributed inflight to Hawaii. Plant quarantine inspectors will be stationed in the baggage claim area to examine all agricultural items. The Department of Agriculture also requires dogs and cats be quarantined, and special permits to be obtained for other pets. For further agricultural information on bringing in plants, non domestic animals, and microorganisms, call the State Department of Agriculture at (808) 837-8413. For domestic animals, call (808) 837-8092.

Facilities for showering and short naps at the Terminal Hotel

The Airport Mini Hotel is located on the second level of the main overseas terminal. It is open 24 hours a day.

Visitor Information Assistance

Yes, all major islands have a Visitor Information Program at the airport which assist the traveling public with airport and tourist-related information. Beside booths there are many stands with visitors brochures (incl. maps).

Wheelchairs available for use by disabled passengers

Airlines provide assistance to passengers with special needs through their skycap (porter) service. Disabled passengers should make arrangements with their air carrier in advance, preferably when reservations are made/confirmed.

Skycap Services - Upon request, airlines will provide assistance to passengers with special needs through their Skycap (porter) services. Skycaps affiliated with your airline can provide assistance with public transportation and also boarding and disembarking at your gate. The Skycaps have been trained to assist travelers with disabilities and provide wheelchairs at the check-in counter, gate or baggage claim area. Please advise your airline in advance to arrange for any special services to ensure assistance.

MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS

Each airline will provide information on specific procedures for storage of wheelchairs and wet-cell batteries.

Connecting flights to a neighbor island from Oahu

If you are flying with Aloha Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines to the neighbor islands, you will depart from the Interisland Terminal Building. To get to that terminal, there are two ways:

via WikiWiki Express: This is a free shuttle that provides transportation around the Honolulu International Airport between terminal buildings. There will be directional signs up near the ceilings that read "WikiWiki Express to Interisland Flights Aloha Airlines - Hawaiian Airlines".
by Walking: This is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the Main Overseas Terminal to the Interisland Terminal Building. There will be directional signs up near the ceilings that read "Interisland Flights Aloha - Hawaiian".

There are courtesy phones at the Main Overseas Terminal, Interisland Terminal Building and Commuter Terminal to assist travelers except from 1:45am through 4:00am daily.

If you are flying with an airline other than Aloha Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines to the neighbor islands (i.e., Island Air, Pacific Wings, etc.), you may depart from the Commuter Terminal. In general, there are two ways to get there:

via WikiWiki Express: This is a free shuttle that provides transportation around the Honolulu International Airport between terminal buildings. There are signs up near the ceilings that read "WikiWiki Shuttle to Interisland Flights Island Air - TransAir, board WikiWiki Shuttle curbside". These bus stops are located outside the Main Overseas Terminal on the second level on curbside. Visitor information booths in the Main Overseas Terminal can provide further assistance.
Walking: This is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the Main Overseas Terminal to the Interisland Terminal Building. Upon arriving at the Interisland Terminal Building, go to the ground level and walk along the roadway to the Commuter Terminal which may take around 15 minutes.

There are courtesy phones at the Main Overseas Terminal, Interisland Terminal Building and Commuter Terminal to assist travelers except from 1:45am through 4:00am daily.

How is my luggage being handled on a connecting Interisland flight?

Your ticket jacket contains claim tickets for your individual pieces of luggage. The claim ticket has the airport code for the final destination for your luggage. Example: You have claim tickets and are arriving at Honolulu International Airport and you have a connecting flight to Maui. If the final destination on the claim ticket reads HNL, your luggage will be dropped off at Honolulu International Airport. You will need to retrieve your luggage from Baggage Claim and take your luggage with you to the connecting flight. The common airport codes are:

HNL: Honolulu International Airport
ITO: Hilo International Airport
KOA: Kona International Airport at Keahole
LIH: Lihue Airport
OGG: Kahului Aiport
MKK: Molokai Airport
LNI: Lanaii Airport

Transport between Honolulu International Airport and Honolulu (Waikiki)

There are quite a few ways to get to and from the airport. Usually we have booked a connecting transfer, this is an airconditioned minicoach that will bring you from the Airport Terminal Building right to the doorstep of your hotel. Simply present the voucher to your driver (of the right transfer company), sit back and relax. The driver will take care of your luggage.

The following transfer companies are available

Other transport options are:

Airport Waikiki Express Shuttle ($8.00 per person [2 bags maximum/person]). Shuttle bus (Trans Hawaiian) and taxi (Sida) services have lift-equipped vehicle available. Arrangements may be made in advance to ensure prompt service. The cost to Waikiki is $8.00 via shuttle bus and ranges from $18.00 to $25.00 via taxi. A maximum of two bags per person is allowed.

Taxi ($20.00 - $25.00 per taxi [oversized bags $.35 each]). Taxicab and chauffeured limousine services are available at all passenger terminals on the baggage claim level. Persons using collapsible chairs will be assisted by the drivers. If you require a lift-equipped vehicle, notify a dispatcher and arrangements will be made for you. (Dispatchers are located curbside on the baggage claim level and wear bright yellow shirts with "DISPATCH" on the back). A taxi will cost approximately $20.00 to $25.00 from the airport to Waikiki during non-rush hour periods.

The Bus ($1.00 adult and $.50 student [bag pack]. No luggage allowewd in the bus that cannot fit on your lap). City buses ("TheBus") are equipped with wheelchair lifts and provide inexpensive transportation to and from Waikiki. Baggage is allowed if it can fit on your lap or under your seat. Backpacks with metal frames are not allowed. One-way fares are $1.00 for adults and $.50 for children up to 18 years of age. Call (808) 848-5555 for route information.

Rental Cars

All mayor carrental companies have depots at Honolulu International Airport. Shuttle busses will pass on the concourse just outside the bagage claim area at regular intervals (meeting all flight arrivals and departures [24hours]).

Primary vehicular access to/from Honolulu (9 miles) is from Interstate Highway H-1 and the Nimitz Highway, both paralleling the airport to the north. H-1 off-ramps lead directly to the passenger terminals at the North Ramp. Rodgers Boulevard, Lagoon Drive, and Elliott and Aolele Streets provide secondary access from the Nimitz Highway to the North Ramp, interisland maintenance, and South Ramp facilities.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING FACILITIES

Accessible parking spaces are available in all HIA parking facilities. In the Main Terminal parking structure, on the 4th level, spaces are located at both ends and at the center of the 4th level near the pedestrian bridges. There are also spaces on the ground level outside of the structure on the East (Diamond Head) side. In the Interisland Terminal garage, accessible parking spaces are located near the elevators on each level. The elevators are located at each end of the structure and in the middle.

Accessible loading and unloading zones are available curbside at the
following locations:

Main terminal - seven (7) at both arrival and departure levels.

Interisland terminal - two (2) at both the arrival and departure levels.

Commuter terminal - one (1) for arrivals and one for departures.

Vehicles are not allowed to be left unattended.

TEXT TELEPHONES (TDDs)

Telecommunication Devices for the hearing impaired are located throughout the airport. You may find them at the following locations:

Main Terminal: Gates 7 and 9; Lobby 4 (between Air New Zealand and Japan Airlines counters) & Lobby 7 (near American Airlines counter); and the International Arrivals Exit

Interisland Terminal: Aloha Airlines across Gate 56; Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Claim B; and Gates 52 & 53

Commuter Terminal: Baggage Claim A-1

Portable TDDs are also available at some of the VIP counters. Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) are available statewide. In Hawaii, you may call the TRS operator at 1-711 for Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) users or 1-511 for voice users.

ANIMAL QUARANTINE

There are strict quarantee rules for animals travelling to and from Hawaii. Only guide dogs are exempt from State of Hawaii animal quarantine rules under strictly enforced conditions. For more information, please call or write to the Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701-3246. Telephone (808) 483-7171 Fax (808) 483-7161.

FIRST AID

A 24-hour medical clinic is conveniently located on the ground level of the main terminal in the garden court area. The clinic is accessible from the second level by various elevators.

Check In and Departures

All baggage bound from Hawaii to the U. S. Mainland is subject to pre-flight inspection by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Restrictions on the movement of fruits, plants, live snails, and other items from Hawaii to the Mainland are enforced to prevent the spread of fruit flies and other hazardous plant insects and diseases. Please report all agricultural items in your possession to the agricultural inspectors. Inspection stations for check-in baggage are located in front of the airline check-in counters while hand carried articles will be inspected at the security check points. Be prepared to open and close your baggage and parcels for x-ray machine inspection. For further information call the U. S. Department of Agriculture at (808) 861-8490.

Helpful Travel Hints

Always plan to arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes prior to departure for Interisland and 2 hours prior for Overseas flights, to give yourself enough time to park, check in, and proceed to the proper gate.

If you have any problems or questions concerning your trip, call your airline or go directly to the ticket counter. Check with your airline to find out about flight information and its policy for large carry-on luggage storage. Flight information boards and monitors showing current arrival and departure times for all scheduled flights are posted in the ticketing lobbies and arrival/departure gates. Do not leave valuables or your parking ticket in plain sight and be sure to lock your car.

VIP booths locations on Honolulu Int. Airport:

outside international arrivals exit fronting Rodgers Boulevard
at Baggage Claims B,C,D,E,F,G,H (There are two booths each at Baggage Claims G & H)
one portable VIP booth at Baggage Claim E
second level at the 'Y' concourse between Gates 14 & 23
second level at the Diamond Head end of the main lobby
second level at the Ewa end of the main lobby
second level at the Interisland Terminal lobby across Burger King