Smooth Travel At Hawaii Airports Threatened By Holiday Stampede

As the Thanksgiving and end-of-year holidays approach quickly, Hawaii’s airports are bracing for one of the busiest travel periods. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has issued a travel alert warning passengers about packed terminals, potential delays, and limited parking. Whether you’re visiting family or a resident traveling interisland or to the mainland, careful planning will ensure a better trip.

Packed airports and possibly no parking.

Hawaii’s major airports—Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Lihue—are preparing for significant traffic increases. Peak travel times are expected between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the busiest days likely to be Wednesday, November 27, and Sunday, December 1.

Adding to the surge, Maui is also expecting additional crowds due to the popular Maui Invitational Basketball Tournament, running from Nov. 25 through 27. OGG always seems to be even busier than expected during these events. BOH editors missed a flight last year because we underestimated the amount of time that would be needed at OGG!

Travelers should expect very long lines at check-in counters and security checkpoints, especially during these peak periods. But there are things you can do to protect your trip.

Allow extra time for car rental returns, security, and parking.

The state is strongly advising passengers to arrive early:

• For mainland or international flights, allow a minimum of two hours before departure.
• For interisland flights, the suggestion is to arrive at least 90 minutes early.

Parking lots, especially at smaller airports like Lihue, with only 578 stalls, and Hilo, with 481 stalls, are expected to fill to capacity quickly. For those driving to Hawaii airports, HDOT is warning of limited parking availability and suggests planning extra time to walk from parking to the terminal. Remember that if you park at our airports, the maximum daily parking rates are now $25 at Honolulu and $24 at neighbor island airports.

Although it might seem obvious, HDOT reminds travelers to secure their vehicles by locking doors, removing valuables, and keeping the parking ticket out of sight.

Stay updated on your Hawaii flight details.

Before heading to the airport, confirm flight status, gate assignments, and any potential delays directly with your airline. We have missed more than once a gate change announcement at Hawaii airports. Since then, we always check online right up until boarding time. You can use the airlines’ apps or FlightAware.

For those picking up arriving passengers, be prepared for heavy airport traffic.

Hawaii TSA preparation and resources.

Navigating TSA checkpoints during the holidays can be one of the journey’s most frustrating and time-consuming parts. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers resources to help travelers streamline the security process. We highly suggest the MyTSA app to monitor congestion and wait times at Hawaii airports.

Take advantage of airport amenities?

After clearing security, HDOT suggests that once through security travelers “Enjoy the variety of restaurants, cafes and retail shops, as well as cultural and art exhibits located throughout Hawaii’s airports.

Unfortunately, the reality is otherwise. You can still expect to find extremely limited food choices at all of Hawaii’s airports. On the other hand, HDOT is correct that Honolulu Airport (HNL) does, for example, feature art installations that showcase the islands’ heritage. There are also the iconic airport gardens, which are unique.

A smooth Hawaii journey starts with good planning.

The Thanksgiving holiday is a time for connection and celebration, but heavy airport congestion can be a major stressor. We join HDOT in encouraging all travelers to prepare ahead, arrive early, and use available online resources to stay informed for a smoother journey. With careful planning, you can avoid disruptions and focus on enjoying the holiday season in Hawaii.

Aloha!