Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have announced the next big plans that are to occur at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). To start with, the airlines will open a colossal new lounge, set to be the largest of its kind ever in Hawaii. Scheduled for completion in 2027, this lounge promises to transform the travel experience for Hawaiian and Alaska guests with modern design, premium amenities, and a distinct island-inspired ambiance. But that’s just the beginning of it.
The lounge will be located in the new terminal (Mauka Concourse), a $300+ million project that has struggled to live up to its potential since opening in 2021. While the new lounge could revitalize the terminal, observers remain cautious due to the challenges posed by the controlling Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) and the shocking lack of a Hawaii airport authority.
The Mauka Concourse has been a terminal searching for its purpose and has faced sharp criticism since its debut. We find it full of potential but underutilized, with vast open spaces, a dire lack of dining and shopping choices, and uninspiring. It could be so much more, and now its future, for the first time, looks bright.
Alaska Airlines’ big vision for transformation.
Alaska Airlines appears poised to make the Mauka Concourse a big success. With so far unannounced plans to consolidate operations there, and increase foot traffic, the airline could indeed finally breathe life into this space.
“We are reimagining the travel experience with spaces that showcase our dedication to guest satisfaction and the unique culture of Hawai‘i.”
Todd Traynor-Corey, VP of Guest Products & Experience at Alaska Airlines.
The Hawaiian-Alaska lounge aims to deliver an unparalleled experience for travelers. Five times larger than Hawaiian Airlines’ current Premier Lounge, the space will incorporate elements inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty.
Hawaiian Airlines’ Alisa Onishi, Director of Brand Management, described it as “a celebration of our guest’s voyage, thoughtfully crafted to honor the beauty and warmth of our island home.”
More details on guest access and amenities are expected as the project progresses. Until then, travelers hope the lounge will bring broader improvements to the awaiting Mauka Concourse, addressing its food options, seating, and overall passenger experience.
Terminal art that tells an airport’s story.
The Mauka Concourse’s design has integrated contemporary art to create a Hawaiian sense of place and reflect the area’s natural and cultural elements. The new terminal features unusual permanent installations highlighting land, water, and sky, guided by community input and curated to honor local values and legends.
A centerpiece is Ko’i (adze) by Sean K. L. Browne, an Indian Black Granite sculpture said to be inspired by the ancient Hawaiian stone tool used for crafting canoes and shaping house timbers. This piece represents ingenuity and sustainability, which are fundamental to Hawaiian culture. The Ko‘i was a primary resource, enabling Hawaiian people to provide shelter, cultivate and harvest food and water from both land and sea.
It is, at the least, quite unusual, as seen in Beat of Hawaii’s lead photo above.
Other notable works in the Mauka Concourse include Doug Young’s Gyre Pacifica Waterform 3: Wa‘a Kaulua, crafted from fused glass and stainless steel, symbolizing the interconnectedness of water and air, and Ka‘ena Spirit Walls, which evoke the cliffs and ocean mist of Waialua. Suspended above are Mark Chai’s Kawaihāpai and Iwa Soaring, polycarbonate resin sculptures inspired by clouds carrying water and frigatebirds gliding over the sea.
Together, these pieces seek to transform the terminal into a vibrant journey through Hawaii’s natural and cultural beauty. There’s no question that Alaska plans more, much more.
What are your thoughts about Alaska’s first moves at the HNL Mauka Concourse?
Photo Credit – Beat of Hawaii. Mauka Concourse and Ko’i Centerpiece.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I certainly wouldn’t count on it somehow someone will take the money and run. Need to make a lot more drastic changes to the whole dang airport terminal..
It is interesting that after all this time there is still no airport authority to be an advocate for, and administer of, what is the first impression millions of visitors get of Hawaii.
Interesting that for the last 50+ years that Hawai’i has relied upon tourism as heavily as they have that they are still 20+ years behind every other tourism based economy – national and international. Yet the same individuals with their clearly inadequate policies are repeatedly elected. Not sure who is more out of touch. The politicians (who care only about party and themselves – in that order because without the party, they are nothing) or the voters who clearly either don’t care enough to know or know enough to care. I’m guessing too many voters are feeding off the government teat to change the status quo. And the rest of us will find other options. I’m sure at some point the locals will reflect on better days and wish they were still there. Just like me wishing I were still 20 (or even 30, 40 or 50!). RIP Hawai’i. I’ll miss you.
Sounds promising, but I’ve seen too many big projects in Hawai‘i fail to meet expectations. Let’s hope this one actually delivers now that Alaska is in charge. Will be interesting to see how they can deal with the state DOT to achieve their goals.
I love the idea of a lounge inspired by Hawaii, but the whole terminal needs a transformation to match that vision. What’s been going on there for the past several years. It feels so out of touch with travelers’ needs.
The art in the terminal is a good thing, but let’s not forget the basics—better signage, comfortable modern seating, and amenities that actually are useful and stay open.
Hopefully it’s as least as nice as the Alaskan Air First Class Lounge at SFO. Full breakfast buffet and not just bags of pretzel bits and POG like what we’ve had forever at HNL. And leg length lounge chairs facing the flight line with charging ports and power outlets.
Adding a massive lounge is great, but how about some late-night dining options? Flights often leave at odd hours, and everything is closed and it’s such a long walk to the central food court that it isn’t practical.
Fingers crossed this terminal revitalization actually happens. The Mauka Concourse has always felt more like a ghost town than a gateway to Hawaii.
As a frequent flyer in and out of HNL, this lounge might be amazing for some, but what about the rest of us? The terminal needs to cater to all travelers, not just those in the lounge. Hopeful this is just a start.
The art installations are beautiful, but I hope they focus on practical updates too. Please add more functional seating, better food options, etc.
I’m excited to see this next collaboration between Hawaiian and Alaska, but will the lounge really benefit most travelers? The concourse needs more accessible improvements first and foremost.
It’s about time the Mauka Concourse got a proper use. I’ve flown through there a few times, and it always felt like a missed opportunity.
New use for this huge space sounds incredible, but I hope they address the lack of food and amenities in the rest of the terminal. The space feels underused and empty most of the time.