We are still in the midst of unprecedented Hawaii travel delays, and this weekend we found them to be both on the ground and in the air. If you were caught in any of these like we were, here’s your chance to vent.
Start with Hawaii flight delays.
At the time of publishing Sunday, 52 domestic flights were reported as delayed at Honolulu Airport.
16 Southwest Airlines
1 American Airlines
2 Alaska Airlines
1 Delta Airlines
4 Mokulele Airlines
28 Hawaiian Airlines
While at Maui Airport, there were 28 flights delayed
13 Southwest
1 Alaska Airlines
1 Mokulele Airlines
11 Hawaiian Airlines
2 WestJet
That’s enough to send shock waves since it translates to 23% of Southwest flights and 14% of Hawaiian flights that were late in Honolulu. On Maui, 30% of Southwest flights and 13% of Hawaiian flights were delayed.
Hawaii TSA delays.
Now moving on to TSA, we found that wait times at Maui Airport were longer than one hour for at least three consecutive hours on Sunday. How much more, we don’t know, as that’s as much of a delay as the MyTSA app displays.
By contrast, the other Hawaii airports appeared to be operating normally, with TSA delay times of under 30 minutes reported. Rob flew to Honolulu yesterday and picked an early flight to avoid both long TSA lines and in order to find parking. Remember to download the MyTSA App so you can check wait times before leaving.
Road delays are common in Hawaii: So be prepared.
If you were heading towards Lihue airport yesterday, like both editors Rob and Jeff were, it wasn’t a good day at different times. No, it wasn’t an accident that closed the road, but instead, tree trimming reduced the only highway to one shared lane for many hours. It resulted in a 60-minute road delay heading towards Lihue from Kauai’s westside and more than a 2 hours delay going in the opposite direction. We felt bad for visitors stuck in traffic and not on the beach, for those who may have missed flights and activities.
Then Rob got caught in a huge traffic jam on Nimitz Highway in Honolulu en route to HNL. For whatever, reason, the highway was closed and what normally is an easy drive on a Saturday afternoon turned out to be the opposite. He almost missed his flight and had to reroute on the H1, which thankfully was clear of traffic.
We have to say that both of us were remiss in not diligently checking Google Maps before driving. What a mess. Remember to do that to allow more time to vacation and less time sitting in traffic.
Parking at Lihue Airport is a problem that’s about to get worse. Kona too.
Airport parking, specifically on Kauai, has been a serious problem for months. Some say it is partly Turo-related, although Turo is making deals to find alternate parking. So we aren’t sure. But one thing we know is that starting tomorrow, 10% of the already minuscule parking lot will be off-line. And that will go on for months while a repaving project is in process.
And this report just in from Kona. “Parking is also a dismal prospect here in Kona. Rerouting parking to employee lots has not mitigated this situation either. This has become a real problem for those of us who have rather frequent medical appointments with specialists in Honolulu!!”
Honolulu Highway driving is ever changing moment to moment, anything can and typically does mess things up. Been there and have experienced just about everything conceivable. As for parking in other airports, those responsible for the Airport have Zero foresight and planning abilities. They know the problems and haven’t done anything to relieve the problems. Adequate parking facilities should be available. Why is it going to take Months to pave Inadequate Parking? The structures, if any, are concrete. Apparently there is a Major problem existing there, ever consider 24/7 paving to eleviate problems and get the job done in a Reasonable amount of time?
This is off topic but I just wanted to give kudos to Maui and Oahu resorts! We traveled 4 times to resorts in Maui and Oahu in the last year and a half. Currently at a resort on California’s central coast and just have to say the staff at the Hawaii resorts do a Much better job keeping the resorts clean and well cared for… California could take some lessons!!
Aloha,
Thank you sharing info about the MyTSA app! We have TSA Pre✔️ and Global Entry (well worth the cost!) and were not aware they have an app. Greatly appreciated!
😀 Mahalo for ALL the info and insights you provide.
Hi Mignon.
Glad that was useful. Happy travels!
Aloha.
Mahalo for the updates. We’re headed to Kauai for the marathon Sept 1st-6th. We usually don’t worry too much about delays & do have TSAPre.(+Global Entry). But this trip we’re bringing our 3&1/2yrold granddaughter. Not her 1st flights but I’m starting to really regret Southwest got rid of its nonstops to Kauai & the Big Island & is routing everything thru HNL.
As a Kaua’i resident this stopping traffic for tree trimming is a bunch of hewey and they have got to do gure our a way, like have cops doing the traffic and not hired hands. Not only is it hewey it is also costly! All the stuff we talk about on here about over tourism this stopping traffic for long times need to go extinct. Mahalo
Hi Kauaidoug.
We called the police. It seems they do not have jurisdiction unless it is a safety issue. Instead, it is up to the state because that is a state highway. No one in any official capacity was anywhere in sight.
Aloha.
Seems like theres an agenda to limit tourism to Hawaii.After covid and small business failures I would think increased tourism would be welcomed, after all its the number one industry.Or maybe its goes hand in hand with the WEF Great Reset agenda?
The plan was always to cut tourist 20 % capacity in restaurants that are outside homeless people gathered on the beach but resorts had to restrict tourists to 20% on the beach . Hawaiian s will go to the poles in November and vote the same way they always do
This is getting to be a depressing sight. Find some happy news to report.
November 8th is coming!
Why are they doing this now? Can’t it wait until January?
Parking is also a dismal prospect here in Kona. Rerouting parking to employee lots has not mitigated this situation either. This has become a real problem for those of us who have rather frequent medical appointments with specialists in Honolulu!! Mahalo for listening.
Hi William.
Thanks for sharing the situation over on the Big Island.
Aloha.
Wouldn’t it be much easier if specialists just set up appointments on the outer islands one or two days a month? The state could pay for the travel and hotel, and specialists would get a mini vacation. In California specialists routinely travel to multiple offices to do surgeries and complex medical visits.
Solution is simple and saves time, money, and reduces airport traffic.
Aloha! Is this a weekend concern only? We fly in Wed. 8/24 from Sacramento, HNL, then LIH. Midweek is ok, am I right? Can’t wait to be back in Kauai! – Mahalo.
Hi S H.
No that is not correct. These are potential problems every day of the week.
Aloha.
Good to know. Mahalo.
We are to be in Kauai most of September and have 3 island hop day trips purchased. I’m hoping some airport neighbors figure out how to offer overflow parking within easy walking distance of the airport.
You load 16 tons….
What do you get?
Tennessee Ernie Ford…going back …way back. LOL …another day older and deeper in debt. So very correct!!