Hipfig travel channel offers DIY travel video guides for more than 25 cities in
Asia, US, and Canada. If you like this video then subscribe, give us a thumbs up
or a comment. Welcome to this episode of the Big Island Hawaii travel guide by
Hipfig. This Kona International Airport travel guide provides info and tips based
on our own travel experience for arriving passengers to the Big Island of
Hawaii. Did you know that Kona International
Airport is the only remaining major aiport in the Hawaiian Islands where
a mobile ramp is used to plane and deplane passengers? Before I go any further
there are some things I need to explain before moving on. First in Hawaii, the Big
Island is officially known as the Island of Hawaii or just Hawaii so don't get
confused. Second the Big Island has two airports
Kona and Hilo Airport. Kona Airport is the busier of the two major airports on
the Big Island. Kona and Hilo airports are about 80 miles apart and will take
about an hour and a half to two hours to drive between them and third Kona
Airport is officially called Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport with
the airport code koa and is located in the town of Keahole on the Big Island
The Airport was named after Ellison Onizuka and astronaut who died in the
space shuttle Challenger in 1986 and was from the Big Island of Hawaii. Kona
International Airport is located on the leeward or west side of the Big Island
and Hilo Airport is located on the windward or east side. Currently Kona
receives direct trans-pacific flights from the West Coast cities of the u.s.
Vancouver Canada and from Tokyo Japan from Haneda and Narita airports. Most
likely unless you are flying out of one of these cities you'll have to transfer
to Kona from a West Coast city in North America
or one of the other Hawaiian Islands usually Honolulu
or Maui. We took a United Airlines flight from LAX Airport to Kona. We arrived to
Kona Airport around 8:30 p.m. and we're really excited to disembark our plane. We
walked down the ramp and walk to the entrance of the outdoor airport terminal
one. We were greeted immediately by the warm Hawaiian spring air fragrant with
the smell of pikake flowers. Once we went through the terminal one gate there was
a big courtyard with restrooms, a restaurant, and some shops. If you need to
use the restroom use the restroom in this area. Most of the shops and the
restaurant are closed by 10:30 p.m. We didn't go through immigration and
customs since we were domestic arrivals however if you're coming by direct
flight from Japan you will be directed to a separate section in Terminal one
for immigration, baggage claim, and customs. Domestic arrivals should follow
the signs for baggage claim which is on the left side of the airport terminal. We
used the restroom to change and to freshen up and then continued to walk out
towards our left to the doors exiting the secured area which would lead to the
baggage claim area. Right after you leave the secured area you'll see an
information counter to your right. It's open from 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
this is a very small airport you won't miss it
baggage claim and the arrival area is open air and fairly small compared to
other airports. Kona International Airport is located about seven miles
away from the town of Kailua and ten miles to the resorts of North Kona and
South Kohala districts and about 25 miles from Waikoloa. Once we collected
our bags at baggage claim we followed the signs for ground transportation but
really is just right in front of you. You can get to your hotel several ways from
Kona Airport. If you would like to take a share ride shuttle or prearranged rides
there are several companies: global rider, Gold Coast town car service,
Hawaii executive transportation, and speedi shuttle
you can make a reservation online or visit their counters at the airport
shuttle service counters are located near the baggage claim area. If you're
arriving during the day and want to take public transportation the Hawaii County
mass transit agency Hele-on bus operates a very limited service between
the airport and Kailua Kona town. Buses depart Kona International Airport at
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 5:00 p.m. for Kailua Kona take the pahala Kona South Kohala
route. If you'd like to take a taxi follow the signs for taxi and walk to
the taxi stand which is located on the left on the curbside. Once you arrive in
the taxi area the taxi dispatcher will ask you where you're going. He or she
will then direct you to the taxi driver who serves that area. Taxis are run by
independent companies and have specific areas where they service and they do not
drive to other areas. By the way there is a public phone booth run by Hawaiian
telecom located in the waiting area by the taxi stand should you need one. The
taxi fare will run 25 to 60 US dollars depending on where you're going in the
Kona Kailua/ Captain Cook area and will cost you more for other areas. It's a
good idea to ask the driver the cost of the fare before getting into the taxi
if you're picking up a rental car, cross the street near baggage claim to the
center median. All car rental companies have their sites away from the airport
you can get to the rental car centers by taking a shuttle bound for your rental
car company. Most visitors to Hawaii rent a car because of the distances between
attractions of the island and the flexibility it allows. Driving a car on
the Big Island is easy unless you're planning to drive up Mauna Kea or down
Waipio Valley in either case a 4x4 is required. Make sure to check with your
rental car company before you drive to either one of these places
We boarded the shuttle to our rental car company and the shuttle was efficient
clean and air-conditioned. Once we arrived at our car rental company we
waited in line and rented a 4x4 Jeep which was a fantastic idea
in hindsight. The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport is a small
efficient and easy Airport to transport through on your way to this Hawaiian
Paradise. Happy Travels! Go to hipfig.com for more information or go to our
hipfig travel channel on YouTube and be sure to subscribe for regular updates