Long lines, stifling heat, and crowded waiting areas—travelers at Maui’s Kahului Airport know the drill. Now, with $46 million in construction underway, officials promise relief. But will this long-awaited upgrade finally deliver, or is it more concrete poured into a plan that misses the point?
The $46 million project is partly supported by a $30.6 million FAA grant, with the remainder funded by the state and local agencies.
The $46M plan: What’s changing at OGG.
A new two-story security checkpoint is rising at the south end of the terminal. The upper floor will house six new TSA screening lanes, while the ground level adds space for airport support functions and future concessions. A new pedestrian bridge will connect the facility to the existing gates. Construction broke ground late last month and is scheduled to finish by 2026.
The old checkpoint, long known for its long lines and lack of ventilation, will eventually be enclosed and air-conditioned.
What’s already changed at Maui’s airport.
In late 2024, Maui Airport unveiled a new 17,000-square-foot passenger waiting area, with seating for more than 450 travelers and shaded outdoor space on a garden deck. Located near gates 1 to 15, the air-conditioned addition was meant to relieve overcrowding and offer more comfort for those waiting to board.
It’s a start, but many visitors say it came long after it was needed. Kahului Airport was never designed to handle the nearly 5 million annual passengers it amazingly now serves.
Even during the tourism downturn after the Lahaina fire, passengers, including us, reported hot, crowded corridors and poor signage. One visitor said bluntly: “It felt like we were being herded—no Aloha, just lines and confusion.”
Behind-the-scenes OGG projects are taking shape.
Not all changes are visible from inside the terminal. Earlier this year, construction began on a $53 million Maui Airport Industrial Center, a Class‑A warehouse and logistics facility down the street from the terminal. It supports cargo and off-site functions and is designed for warehousing, office space, and cold storage.
At the same time, DOT officials confirmed that runway repaving and apron upgrades are being planned to support more and larger aircraft, including widebodies and cargo planes. The timeline remains unclear, and with Maui travel still holding below normal levels, it’s not certain when these critical upgrades will move forward.
The Maui traveler experience hasn’t caught up quite yet.
Despite ribbon cuttings and press releases, many passengers say Maui’s airport still feels like a work in progress. Some report slight improvements over recent months, while others describe the same old bottlenecks: security backups, confusing signage, and crowded gates.
One Beat of Hawaii reader wrote, “It’s nice to hear about upgrades, but Maui airport feels stuck in the past. There’s no flow, no comfort, and it’s still way too hot.” Another said, “We travel through OGG twice a year. It’s not terrible, but it’s also not good. I’m not convinced more lanes will fix the real problem.”
These comments echo a broader frustration: while some facilities may improve, the traveler experience still feels fractured. If you’re rushing through check-in only to wait in a crowded, overheated gate area with nowhere to sit, it is hard to care how modern the TSA screening area looks.
The missing pieces: What’s not part of the OGG plan.
Notably absent from the current upgrades are fixes to issues travelers often mention: parking, curbside drop-off congestion, and outdated interisland facilities. One significant improvement—the $340 million consolidated car rental facility and passenger tram—was previously completed and appears to have largely solved the chaos typical of shuttle pickups and rental counters. But beyond that, little has changed when it comes to ground transportation logistics or terminal flow.
Also missing is any mention of improved accessibility, faster baggage handling, or an overhaul of ground transportation logistics. These are pain points that Hawaii travelers notice and remember.
Why Maui’s airport matters more than ever.
Kahului Airport isn’t just a regional hub. It’s Hawaii’s second most important air transportation gateway and the first and last impression for millions of visitors annually. In an era where travelers are increasingly vocal about what they expect—and what they’re paying for—Hawaii’s airport experience matters more than before.
High costs create high expectations. When visitors land in an airport that feels neglected, it undermines the very image Hawaii wants to present. And damages its ability to attract the visitors it wants.
The $46 million expansion is significant and may relieve key pressure points. However, without a coordinated push to improve the broader flow and traveler experience, it risks becoming another isolated upgrade in a largely unmanaged airport system that still feels broken. Hawaii remains one of just three U.S. states without an independent airport authority—a widely recognized and seemingly impenetrable barrier that has long hindered planning, funding, and accountability.
A step forward—or just more of the same?
The checkpoint expansion, waiting area, and industrial facility are part of a longer-term vision for airport modernization. However, none of these changes will be fully felt until late 2026. In the meantime, the experience at Kahului remains uneven.
Travelers to Hawaii are paying attention to these details. They compare airports, remember delays, and widely share their experiences online. They also quickly recognize when an upgrade looks good on paper but doesn’t solve underlying issues. Air conditioning that cools in summer, clear signage, and a terminal layout that makes sense matter just as much as any new airport building construction.
Have you flown through Maui recently? Did it feel like progress—or the same old story? Please share your observations.
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I’m routing through OGG on my way back from my upcoming Sept trip. Haven’t been there in years. Wonder if much has changed since the last time. Anything they do has got to be an improvement anyway right?
Best Regards
We visit Maui at least once a year. The new(er) rental car facility is a major improvement. The upgrades to the gate areas in the 1-15 terminal is an improvement over the old open air waiting areas. I see several complaints about the tram but the same can be said for mainland airports with connecting trains/trams. We’re happy to hear that the TSA area is finally being improved. We would like to see more and better food options including cleaned up, enlarged seating areas. We’re spoiled; we fly out of Portland and have a beautiful airport and wonderful food options!
We have been flying into Oog for the past 30 years. We own property in Wailea and visited frequently during the summer.
The airport has never been a major problem however we do try to pick flights that leave during the slow. Time for the airport.
Installing the people movers will help however, We would like to see a larger and more active passenger lounge.
We’d also like to see the taxi service being able to pick up on the curb by the baggage claim instead of having to cross the street which occasionally becomes a problem when it’s raining.
Why improve the airport if you don’t want tourists?
Aloha! Just returned from Maui a week ago after visiting family in Lahaina. So hard to read complaints about OGG when loved ones resiliently moving forward after losing everything. Kahului airport not perfect, but do like it better than HNL. As mainland residents we understand the frustration of arrival and takeoff in busy island airports but have found that is not exclusive to Hawaii.
We’ve been regular visitors to Maui since 1994. Admittedly, OGG has always had a third world charm, which is our first inkling on arrival that we are starting an exotic vacation in paradise. However, as we age we appreciate the upgrades over the years, like the rental car facility and the recent enclosure and air conditioning of our concourse. We keep our expectations low, so any improvements are usually a positive surprise.
re: United Catering Issues at SFO
We will depart SFO to HNL on 17 June via a United 777 in economy class, so we’ll observe the catering first hand. We’ll be in those outside rows of double seats in the tail, near the economy galley, (best economy seats on a United 777), so we’ll ask the crew how the catering situation is with Sky Chefs. Will let you know.
OGG is truly the worst part of visiting Maui. The restrooms have improved over time, but the escalators down to baggage claim are filthy. The area where you wait for bags is dark, hot and very unpleasant. It does feel like a third world country version of an airport. We no longer rent a car since that transportation system to the rental cars is an insipid mashup of sweaty humanity. And yet, we are headed to Maui once again in October. Once we get to Wailea, it is the island paradise that we fly in for.
People comparing OGG to a 3rd World airport is a compliment. Many so called 3rd World countries have some of the newest and beautiful airports. The US is more like what you’re thinking as far as airports.
I travel to Maui a few times a year, the remodeled terminal is much better, restrooms are nice I just hope they keep up the maintenance, that’s always a problem on Maui where improvement aren’t maintained. The carpet on the floors when rolling your bag was a big mistake.
Maybe the airport manager should take a stroll through the airport once in awhile to look things over.
He plainly doesn’t care.
You gotta remember that Maui really doesn’t want the average tourist anymore, who flies economy class and stops at Costco on the way to their condo rental. These expensive so called airport improvements are lip service at best, and probably won’t improve the airport experience much, if at all. But if you’re the”quality “ visitor that Bissen wants, you’ll probably have express security/baggage service, curbside limo pickup and a painless transfer to your $1000/nt hotel room. The rest of us mortals will be standing in long lineups and sweating in rooms with broken air conditioning for a long time yet. The current airport experience is intended to act as a deterrent, not an incentive to return.
Marianne,
You forgot the lunch stop at Aloha Mixed Plate!👍🏻That hot pocket thing you get on the HA flight just doesn’t cut it…😝
You are right, Maui doesn’t want the type of tourists you just pointed out, but I haven’t seen any limousines either…
Once again, HDOT has shown themselves to be very inept at designing or modernizing airports. Look at HNL. After six decades they still don’t have it right. Wasted space , few concessions unacceptable delays at baggage claim.
OGG is a third world landing strip with LIH not far behind. So much shame to the residents and visitors alike. Please don’t have high hopes for the foreseeable future at the airports division. I will be shocked if they do a good job, sorry to be so down, but the proof is in the pudding.
Best improvement they ever made was combining the rental car companies and adding the “cable car” people mover. At least it is efficient and helps streamline the process of picking up your rental car…👍🏻
The other great improvement with rental cars is Alamo allows you to check in on line and go directly to the garage and pick out the car of your choice, no more standing in line for an hour or two at the budget counter.
OGG is a huge step backwards. We travel to Maui every year and love our time there. However the airport is extremely difficult for anyone traveling with more than a wallet. Getting bags thru agricultural checking, ticketing and then finding your gate(ours is always at far end) is a challenge if you lack mobility or are elderly, no motorized vehicles, wheelchairs or moving walkways (just a short section and not always working). Food selection is also very limited.
Picking up rental car is also difficult. I stay with luggage while my husband goes to get car, sometimes 30-45 minutes. Trying to find a pickup space is sometimes impossible.
We love our time on Maui, the people and the scenery are beautiful but we dread the airport. Please help!
One thing is, they expect you to be at the airport two or three hours early but in the morning, the airline check-in’s aren’t even open yet.
The hub with concessions is pretty nice.
I agree the Checkpoint expansion needs to be greatly improved.
The car rental lines are ridiculous and an absolute s*t show, at times.
The car rental lines will get better with less tourists.
The Hawaii State Department of Transportation in its entirety and specifically the Airports Division are so mired in corruption and the pay-to-play, good old boy’s (and girls) network that the monies allocated for improvements are wasted and nothing really changes. Hawaii needs a separate Airport Authority to properly oversee the airport facilities without the usual “wine, dine, and pocket-lined,” activities that have been going on for decades. One reason the current and previous Governor’s have not fully investigated and overhauled the DoT is that they were part of the problem and knew all about the shenanigans going on there while they were in the legislature.
Aloha I miss the old airport arrangements. The car rental was right across the road. We use to have a system. My wife would get the luggage and I would get the car. It was fast. Now the train takes forever to come. One thing that hasn’t changed is the rudeness of some people who feel entitled trying to rent a car at the rental company. We’ve been going to Maui annually for over 22 years. We really miss Lahaina. A lot of memories there. It’s nice to some of the veteran restaurants reopening in kehei. Especially Cool cats. I hope Kimo’s, lahaina fish , cheeseburger in paradise and Down the hatch have plans. Oh yeah and Dirty Monkey. Another great place.
Unfortunately, Kihei is not Lahaina and is very congested with cars these days. But I was glad to hear that Cool Cat opened a restaurant there and will check it out. Still can’t replace sitting at Cool Cat overlooking the Banyon Tree and the historic Pioneer Inn ….
Gone with the island feeling when you arrive in Maui? May be the most vocal tourists are actually the ones locals are not crazy about? I thought the tourist industry was complaining about having “less” tourists, so spending that much money on airconditioned areas at this time seems counterproductive. It’s bad enough that I have to hear A/C’s running day and night from people who move here from the mainland, complaining that it’s too hot …always wonder why they don’t move to Alaska. The only positive mention in this story is the “shaded outdoor space”. I will definitely check that out when I travel to the mainland in August because I love the garden at the Honolulu airport. I hope “shaded” means “shaded by trees”. Otherwise, there will not be much left of an island feel here in Maui.
Will they be keeping the Covid terminal checkpoint enclosures in the terminal wings?
You know, the ones that jammed multiple passengers in an enclosed space. Because Science….
Almost as awesome as creating a bottleneck at the exits with safe travels, which made 2000 passengers form a 4 person wide line inches from each other… because… yep, Science
IMO personally making the airport confusing, inconvenient, and troublesome makes tourists scramble just to get to their condo, hotel, faster. On the other hand it makes tourists feel glad to finally be on the plane departing in fighting the airport havoc again. This strategy makes the hotel experience and crowds in restaurants less annoying so the justified high cost of everywhere else on the island becomes justified. Now you know what paying for the experience really means.
While they are doing all these ‘improvements’, how about more seating in the baggage claim area??? I had to stand 20 mins or more waiting for the carousel to start grinding away, I’ve waited as much ad half an hour for my bag to show. With an old guy’s bad back, this can be like torture. And there isn’t much airflow, even when those typical east side winds are blowing off everyone’s hats. I think the orientation of the building blocks the air flow! Everytime I have to go thru OGG, what with agriculture, TSA ID, carryon inspection, I always find myself hot and sticky afterwards. Needs to get better!
Just another “mistruth” about where the money is really going! Why does the airport need an “upgrade” when visitors are not clamoring to get there, neither appreciated or welcome on Maui?? Did the money just appear out of thin air?? Has Maui finally fixed their serious homeless problem?? No. Have the infrastructure problems all over the island been addressed?? No.
Just another weak attempt to appear like they actually care and prioritize important issues…..😠
Is Maui also planning a “Bullet Train“ to nowhere?? Yeah, good luck with that!!
We flew to OGG in March. Our plane arrived early, but there weren’t enough gates or something, so we ended up sitting on the tarmac for 35 minutes. If these upgrades help with logistics and flow, that’s a win—but I haven’t seen any proof yet that gate planning is part of it.
This is an important conversation. For years, Maui’s airport has felt like it couldn’t keep up with the visitor volume. The design of the terminals
is awful and totally inflexible.
I just hope this project doesn’t end up being another case where the money gets spent but nothing really changes for the average traveler.
I like that you pointed out how air conditioning that actually works matters as much as a new building. A lot of upgrades look good in press releases but don’t fix the parts travelers care about—shade, seating, and signage. So far, the improvements at OGG have really not improved much other than the car rental facility, and the screwy tram.
Glad to hear something is finally happening. But if the whole thing takes until the end of 2026, I’m not optimistic about flying through Maui anytime soon. Too little, too late, it seems. What are the priorities exactly?
I have found an issue with baggage claim area when 3-4 flights land within 10-15 min of each other . Why do airlines land 10 min apart from mainland ? Full planes and lots of folks pack to stay for 10-16 days . Can’t put in a carry on ; and especially if staying in equipped condos bring spices , containers , variety of teas , small bottles of condiments , specific kitchen items ( garlic press , etc ) . If wanting to avoid crowded Restuarants ; cooking in condo.
The worst time was with only two baggage carousels and 4 arriving flights ; couldn’t move thru the crowds waiting for luggage .
Another time the tram was not working ! A long walk to auto rental in unshaded walk ways .
But just need to chill – you’re on vacation and have 2 weeks !
We were just at OGG last month and it was a mess. Long lines outside in the heat, and no clear signage inside. I hope this upgrade is more than cosmetic—it needs to feel like someone actually walked through the airport and tried to travel with luggage and kids. Sure the parking is better, but that airport, sheesh!
Everytime I go through OGG .. I wonder why in the world was an expensive (an underwhelming) train be approved to built at OGG. It is a strange use of meager funds.
The airport is old and hard to reconfigure optimally. The relatively new car rental facility is in many ways better than the airport itself. Design, access, throughput, functionality.