Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole on Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaiʻi Island Airport Information Center

About Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)

Everything you need to know about West Hawaiʻi’s primary airport, including terminals, airlines, transportation, parking, rental cars, passenger services, nearby hotels, and Big Island visitor information.

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Airport Overview

Welcome to West Hawaiʻi’s Main Gateway

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) is the primary commercial airport serving West Hawaiʻi and one of the two major passenger airports on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Set on the dry lava fields of Keāhole, roughly seven miles northwest of Kailua-Kona, the airport is the starting point for many trips to the Kona Coast, Kohala resorts, historic South Kona, and the island’s volcanic interior.

KOA accommodates domestic overseas, international, interisland, commuter and air-taxi, cargo, and general aviation activity. Its 11,000-foot runway gives the airport the capability to handle long-haul aircraft, while its location on the leeward side of Hawaiʻi Island places arriving travelers close to many of the island’s largest resort areas and some of its most distinctive coastlines.

The passenger complex is very different from a conventional enclosed mainland terminal. Low-rise buildings, open-air walkways, tropical landscaping, and views across dark volcanic terrain create an arrival experience that immediately feels connected to Hawaiʻi Island. Travelers move between ticketing, security, gate areas, baggage claim, rental-car shuttles, taxis, parking, and visitor information within a relatively compact terminal campus.

This complete Kona Airport guide brings together the practical information visitors usually need before arriving or departing: terminal orientation, airlines, transportation, parking, rental cars, airport services, nearby places to stay, and ideas for exploring Hawaiʻi Island after landing. Use the focused airport guides throughout the page whenever you need more detailed planning information.

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Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa rising above Hawaiʻi Island
KOA places travelers on the western side of Hawaiʻi Island, with access to the Kona Coast, Kohala resorts, volcanic landscapes, historic sites, and high-elevation mountain country.

Quick Facts

Airport at a Glance

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport combines a long-haul-capable airfield with a distinctive open-air passenger complex built on the lava landscape of West Hawaiʻi.

Airport Code
KOA
Official Name
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole
Location
Keāhole, West Hawaiʻi
Distance to Kailua-Kona
About 7 miles
Airport Area
Approximately 4,200 acres
Runway
One 11,000-foot runway
Elevation
Approximately 47 feet
Primary Operations
Overseas, international, interisland, commuter, cargo, and general aviation

Then & Now

Airport History

The story of today’s Kona airport begins with the rapid growth of West Hawaiʻi in the 1960s. The former Kona Airport near Kailua could no longer meet long-term aviation needs, so the State of Hawaii planned a new facility at Keāhole. Construction began in 1969 on a large lava-field site north of Kailua-Kona, with crews creating a new runway, taxiway, aircraft apron, terminal buildings, roads, parking, support facilities, and an air traffic control tower.

Keahole Airport was dedicated on July 1, 1970, and operations shifted from the old Kona Airport without interrupting scheduled service. The original airport featured a 6,500-foot runway and a cluster of high-beam, Polynesian-inspired terminal buildings. That village-like architectural concept became one of the airport’s defining characteristics and helped establish the open-air atmosphere visitors still associate with KOA today.

A major turning point came in 1994, when the runway was extended from 6,500 feet to 11,000 feet. The longer runway made it possible for fully loaded wide-body aircraft to operate direct services between Kona and distant mainland gateways. Scheduled transpacific operations expanded the airport’s role from a primarily interisland facility into a major western gateway for Hawaiʻi Island.

International capability developed further in the 1990s with federal inspection facilities supporting direct flights from Japan. In later years, passenger growth led to terminal modernization, including improvements to security screening, holding rooms, concessions, restrooms, and circulation between the north and south portions of the terminal complex. The airport was renamed in honor of Ellison Onizuka, the Hawaiʻi-born astronaut and U.S. Air Force officer who died aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Today KOA continues to evolve through modernization and long-range planning while preserving an airport experience strongly shaped by its lava-field setting and low-rise, open-air design. It remains essential to tourism, local residents, cargo movement, business travel, and the transportation network connecting Hawaiʻi Island with Honolulu, the mainland United States, and international markets.

Island Character

What Makes Kona Airport Unique

Few airports introduce travelers to their destination as immediately as KOA. The terminal sits directly on relatively young lava terrain, and the surrounding black rock, bright coastal light, dry climate, and distant mountain slopes make the airport feel inseparable from the geology of Hawaiʻi Island. The contrast is especially striking for visitors arriving from lush tropical regions elsewhere in the state.

The open-air terminal design is another defining feature. Rather than relying on a single enclosed concourse, KOA uses low-rise buildings and outdoor or semi-open circulation areas that reflect the island’s climate and the Hawaiian village concept incorporated into the original airport. For many passengers, walking through the terminal with warm air and natural light becomes part of the sense of arrival.

The airport’s location is also exceptionally useful for resort and road-trip travel. Kailua-Kona lies to the south, while the major Kohala Coast resort areas are north of the airport along Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. From KOA, travelers can also continue toward coffee country in South Kona, historic parks along the coast, Waimea and Mauna Kea uplands, or longer cross-island drives toward Hilo and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Open-air terminal buildings at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport

Find Your Way

Terminal Overview

KOA’s passenger facilities are arranged as a low-rise terminal complex along the eastern side of the airfield. Travelers commonly refer to north and south terminal areas, with ticketing, security screening, gate holding rooms, concessions, restrooms, baggage claim, and visitor services distributed across the campus. A modernization program has improved the connection between areas and helped streamline passenger circulation.

Because gate assignments and checkpoint operations can change, travelers should confirm current airline and boarding information before departure. The airport map is especially useful for identifying ticket counters, security, baggage claim areas A and B, public parking, rental-car shuttle pickup, taxi service, and the International Arrivals Building.

KOA’s open-air layout can involve walking outside between parts of the passenger journey, so plan for sun, wind, or occasional rain. Allow enough time for airline check-in, agricultural inspection when applicable, TSA screening, and transportation from off-terminal rental-car facilities.

North Terminal Area

Passenger gates and holding areas serving selected airline operations on the north side of the terminal complex.

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South Terminal Area

Passenger facilities serving additional airline operations, security, concessions, and connected gate areas.

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Arrivals & Baggage Claim

Use baggage claim areas A and B, visitor information, taxi pickup, and rental-car shuttle connections after landing.

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Connections

Airlines & Destinations

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport connects Hawaiʻi Island with Honolulu and other airports in the state as well as major gateways on the U.S. mainland and selected international markets. Airlines listed by the State of Hawaii include carriers such as Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet, and commuter operators. Schedules and seasonal service can change, so always confirm current routes directly before travel.

For interisland trips, KOA provides important connections with Honolulu and other Hawaiian airports, making it possible to combine the Big Island with Oʻahu, Maui, or Kauaʻi. Mainland nonstop flights allow many travelers to reach West Hawaiʻi without connecting in Honolulu, while international service adds another direct gateway into the state when scheduled.

If you are connecting through another island or continuing to the mainland, check whether your airline will tag checked baggage through to the final destination and allow enough connection time. The flight-status and airline pages provide the best starting point for current operational information.

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Passenger Comfort

Airport Services & Amenities

KOA offers the essential services travelers need for a comfortable arrival or departure, including food and beverage options, retail concessions, restrooms, visitor information, accessibility assistance, lost-and-found support, and passenger security services. Because the airport is open-air and spread across multiple low-rise areas, specific amenities may be closer to some gates than others.

Free airport Wi‑Fi is currently available through the KOA Free WiFi network. The airport also provides visitor information assistance, accessible parking and passenger support, first-response medical assistance through Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting, and services for travelers with pets or special travel requirements.

Operating hours for concessions and individual services may vary with flight schedules. If a particular amenity is important to your trip, review the dedicated service page before arriving rather than assuming every facility operates throughout the entire day.

Free Wi‑Fi

Connect to the KOA Free WiFi network while waiting for your flight or coordinating transportation.

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Dining & Shopping

Find food, drinks, travel essentials, gifts, and other concessions around the terminal areas.

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Visitor Information

Get practical destination and airport assistance from the Visitor Information Program.

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Accessibility

Review accessible parking, service-animal guidance, airline assistance, and passenger support.

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Lost & Found

Find guidance for items lost in public airport areas or during your journey.

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Traveling with Pets

Review pet travel and Hawaii animal-entry information before flying.

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Airport Security

Plan for TSA screening and review current airport security guidance.

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Agriculture Inspection

Understand Hawaii agriculture inspection requirements that may apply before departure.

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After You Land

Transportation

KOA is about seven miles from Kailua-Kona and roughly 25 miles from Waikoloa. Most visitors continue by rental car, taxi, shuttle, or pre-arranged transportation. Hawaiʻi County’s Hele-On bus provides limited airport service, so travelers relying on public transit should review the current schedule carefully before arrival.

Rental Cars

Major rental-car companies operate off-terminal baseyards connected to baggage claim by continuous shuttles.

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Taxi Service

Independent taxis serve the curb in front of baggage claim areas A and B for direct trips around West Hawaiʻi.

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Airport Shuttle

Shared and private shuttle services can connect the airport with hotels, resorts, and other destinations.

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Pre-Arranged Transfers

Reserve private cars, limousines, tours, or other permitted transportation before arrival.

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Public Transportation

Hele-On bus service is limited, so confirm current routes and schedules before depending on transit.

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Driving Directions

Plan your route from Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway to Kailua-Kona, Kohala, or other island destinations.

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Airport Parking

Public parking is available directly across from the passenger terminal complex. The airport’s one-way access road loops around the parking area and rental-car check-in facilities, making it relatively straightforward to move between terminal curb zones and parking entrances.

Accessible parking spaces are available in the main public lot, and electric-vehicle parking and charging facilities are provided in designated areas. Drivers picking up arriving passengers may use the cell-phone waiting lot near the International Arrivals Building, with a one-hour limit while the driver remains with the vehicle.

Parking rates and payment systems can change. KOA introduced a streamlined parking system in 2026, so travelers should review the current parking page before arrival for the latest rates, entry and exit procedures, and availability guidance.

Airport Parking Guide

Hotels Near the Airport

There are no large resort districts immediately inside the airport complex, but travelers have many accommodation choices within an easy drive. Kailua-Kona offers hotels, condos, restaurants, shopping, and a walkable waterfront south of KOA, while the Kohala Coast north of the airport includes major resort areas around Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Hualālai, and nearby beaches.

An airport-area or Kona stay can be convenient for a late arrival or early departure, especially if you want to avoid a long drive across the island. Travelers staying near Hilo, Volcano, or distant parts of the island should allow significant additional driving time when returning to KOA because Hawaiʻi Island is large and routes cross long stretches of rural or high-elevation terrain.

Hotels Near Airport

Beyond the Terminal

Nearby Attractions

Kona Airport is a practical starting point for West Hawaiʻi’s beaches, historic places, marine experiences, high mountains, and volcanic landscapes. Some destinations are close to KOA, while others make excellent full-day or multi-day Big Island trips.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau

Explore one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most important cultural landscapes, preserving royal grounds, sacred structures, and the historic place of refuge.

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Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay

Discover a dramatic South Kona bay known for marine life, historic significance, kayaking, snorkeling, and clear coastal water.

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Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa

Mauna Kea & Mauna Loa

Experience the enormous volcanic scale of Hawaiʻi Island, from high-elevation landscapes to distant summit views.

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Kīlauea Iki

Kīlauea Iki

Walk through one of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s most memorable crater landscapes and see the island’s volcanic story up close.

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Plan a longer drive to one of the island’s signature destinations, where volcanic terrain, rainforest, craters, lava flows, and coastlines meet.

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Hāpuna Beach & Kohala Coast

Hāpuna Beach & Kohala Coast

Head north from KOA for white sand, clear water, resort areas, and some of the best-known beaches on the island’s sunny northwest coast.

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The Travel Experience

Why Travelers Love KOA

Travelers often remember KOA because it does not feel like a generic airport. The first views of black lava, low open-air terminal buildings, bright West Hawaiʻi skies, and nearby ocean immediately establish a sense of place. Even before visitors reach their hotel or rental car, the airport communicates something about the island’s geology, climate, and scale.

The airport is also well positioned for the way many people experience Hawaiʻi Island. A rental car or pre-arranged transfer can quickly take travelers south to Kailua-Kona and coffee country or north toward the Kohala Coast’s beaches and resorts. Longer road trips open access to Waimea, Mauna Kea, Hilo, waterfalls, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

For departing passengers, KOA’s relatively low-rise layout and open-air circulation can feel less enclosed than a conventional major terminal. Good trip planning still matters—especially for rental-car returns, agricultural inspection, baggage, and security—but understanding the terminal and ground transportation options in advance can make both arrival and departure considerably easier.

Traveler Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

These quick answers cover common planning questions. For more detail, follow the relevant airport guide links throughout this page.

The airport code is KOA.

Plan With Confidence

Begin Your Hawaiʻi Island Adventure

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is more than West Hawaiʻi’s air terminal—it is the practical gateway to the Kona Coast, Kohala beaches and resorts, historic Hawaiian sites, coffee country, high volcanic mountains, and road trips that can reach every side of the Big Island. A little airport planning before arrival helps you move from the terminal to the island with fewer surprises.

Use the airport map, flight information, transportation, parking, rental-car, hotel, and Big Island travel guides below to organize your arrival or departure. Whether you are staying close to Kailua-Kona or setting out on a multi-day island drive, KOA is where many Hawaiʻi Island journeys begin.

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Last Updated: August 2026
Editorial Note: This guide is part of our Hawaii Airport Information Center and is reviewed regularly to help travelers find practical information before visiting Hawaiʻi Island. Airport photography is by ImagePerson via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Hāpuna Beach photo is by Larry D. Moore under CC BY 4.0. Other destination photography used here is public-domain media from NPS, NARA, Library of Congress, or photographers who released the work to the public domain.