Kona and Kahului airports are back in the headlines, and not for reasons that make travel any easier. A new advisory from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation warns of baggage screening delays that are adding time to the already complicated process of getting on a plane in the islands.
Just this past week, TSA early closures at Maui (OGG) sparked backlash, drawing widespread frustration and a heavy response from readers.
What we know right now.
On Friday, state transportation officials put out alerts for both Ellison Kona International Airport (KOA) and Kahului Airport, Maui (OGG). Travelers checking bags are told to arrive at least ninety minutes before departure, a clear sign that bottlenecks have been building inside the terminals.
It’s worth noting that the MyTSA app does not currently reflect any issues. Also, there is no explanation given for what is actually causing the slowdown. TSA has not released any statements, and the state’s advisory is limited to timing instructions without details. Whether this is due to staffing shortages, equipment issues, or a mix of both remains unknown.
The bigger picture at Hawaii airports.
These delays highlight a recurring problem in Hawaii travel: limited infrastructure stretched to its breaking point. Kona has long been known for its unusual outdoor-style terminals and bottlenecks that occur when multiple flights are close together. Kahului can face similar issues, especially during peak times when widebody flights to the mainland depart around the same time as interisland traffic.
Hawaii visitors and residents are no strangers to long lines, but this advisory points to something beyond the usual. When an entire airport warns everyone to arrive an extra half hour or more early, that suggests a system-level issue rather than just a hiccup.
The unknown cause.
Typically, baggage screening delays tie back to one of three things. The first is staffing. TSA and contractors have struggled in the past to keep enough people in place, particularly in remote or high-cost areas like Hawaii.
The second is equipment. Detection systems are sophisticated and can be prone to downtime. A single unit failure at an airport with limited backup capacity can quickly cascade into long delays.
The third is operational change. When new procedures are rolled out or when maintenance overlaps with heavy traffic, bottlenecks often appear.
What’s most interesting is the lack of clarity. For now, neither TSA nor HDOT has explained which of these issues travelers are dealing with at Kona and Kahului. That leaves passengers in the dark as to how long to expect this to continue.
Timing matters.
The advisory comes as fall travel ramps up again, with steady traffic from the mainland and interisland travelers heading into busy weekends. Missed flights are a significant risk if passengers arrive without being informed about the delay. In that sense, the warning itself is both important and frustrating. Without knowing how long the delays will last or what’s being done to fix them, travelers are left needing to adjust their schedules indefinitely.
Airlines and passengers caught in the middle.
When delays occur at screening checkpoints, airlines often bear the brunt of complaints. Passengers who miss flights may seek rebooking, even when the root cause is beyond the airline’s control. That adds to travel stress and underlines the importance of better communication.
Hawaii’s airport challenges aren’t new.
All of Hawaii’s airports are undergoing long-term modernization efforts, but progress is slow and piecemeal. Kona recently consolidated its terminals and added a federal inspection facility for international arrivals, but baggage systems remain a pain point. Kahului, meanwhile, has been under steady pressure to handle more visitors than it was originally intended for.
These latest delays serve as a reminder that the state’s airport system, despite recent and ongoing upgrades, is still fragile. Any disruption, whether related to staffing or equipment, can impact the traveler’s experience.
What travelers should do.
If you are flying out of KOA or OGG in the coming days, plan accordingly. Arrive at least ninety minutes early if you are checking bags. Consider carry-on bags when possible, since this only applies to checked luggage. Allow extra patience for lines at check-in counters and the checked baggage drop.
Above all, watch for updates. HDOT has promised to post advisories as needed, and airlines may issue their own alerts if problems persist. We’ll be monitoring for those too.
Where does this go from here?
Is this a short-term staffing shortage, such as coincidentally broken screening units waiting for parts? Or something deeper? Beat of Hawaii reached out for clarification, and we will update when details become available.
For now, the only certainty is that airport delays have returned as an unwelcome part of Hawaii travel.
Did you get caught in these baggage screening lines at Kona or Kahului?
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Well let’s look on the bright side…. It’s another opportunity for the airlines to monetize the ‘lemon outta lemonade’ by selling varying quantities of ‘patience’ !
I’m not sure this is really something new at the Kona airport. In our experience, and we fly into and out of that airport often, and have for 20 years, it’s important to arrive the full two hours before a flight because you never know what you will encounter there. Often there is no PreCheck at all, and often TSA coverage is limited. In addition there is usually at least a small backup at Agriculture check. I truly dread every time we fly into the Big Island. It’s slightly better since the renovation but not by much.
It’s Hawaii, some things never change, lol.
That’s the way Hawaii rolls. Still going down the rabbit hole to third world status.
This is really helpful advice for travelers heading to Hawaii. The delays are frustrating, but knowing to arrive early and carry-on bags makes a big difference. It’s a bummer that the root cause isn’t clearer yet.