Problems are vast and unending at Hawaii airports after 15 years of “improvement.” Is the lack of an independent airport authority at fault?”
Problems are vast and unending at Hawaii airports after 15 years of “improvement.” Is the lack of an independent airport authority at fault?”
You sound like you have an ax to grind with HNL. We fly into Honolulu at leat 3 times a year from the mainland. Specifically from Missouri and we find HNL to be a very pleasant experience. The gardens are a treasure! I love the open air gates and the wonderful tropical feel. I will take HNL any day!
Consistently subpar since the 60’s. Nothing positive will happen to improve this concrete monstrosity until a port commission is appointed.
Hahaha.
This is Hawaii. It will only be made up of the family members of the people currently ripping off the taxpayers.
Just another level of payoffs for the taxpayer to support.
Continuing my Comments, The fact that Low Rankings are Expected and Don’t Change Anything tell the Facts of Hawaiian Airports all too well. The State has its hands in them and that alone is Problematic. An Airport Board, if chosen for Competency, will do a better job. Hiring Real and Knowledgeable Managers and Employees will help also. Take the Concessions and bid them out like everyone else else. Take the Permitting Authority and Demand Accountability to finish projects that have been approved! Enough of Governmental Agencies Hostage Taking! Enough of Wasted Time and Money while Nothing Gets Accomplished. Hawaiians should be Ashamed of all of this! Demand Better. Unseat the Corruption!
We fly from Southern California to San Francisco so we can skip Honolulu airport and fly into Kona.
based on my spouse’s needs for additional help due to Parkin sons our recent trip to Maui waslow key compared to our many other visits. We also had moved to the mid-west so add an additional 4 1/2- 5 hour flight to our journey. It was our 1st time taking advantage of the airports/ airlines wheel chair assistance. our journey there was considerably less stressful than our way back. We took Delta airlines to SFO & stayed several days to visit with family. It was exceptional. As was Hawaiian’s 1st class( we bid on and won).On the return trip we used Alaska thru Seattle as we had Covid era credits to use up. At OGG we were assisted thru security & to the boarding area without incident however there was no assistance down the jetway or boarding
Thankfully I have not been forced to use the new cavernous and bare walled terminal, if I had to it would take me over an hour to traverse it. With the Lack of Anything to aid the Disabled in getting around within the airport it’s amazing that the Federal Government hasn’t stepped in to Demand it. If “open air” arrivals were all like Honolulu with the fumes from airplanes most would have enclosed long ago, but Not Hawaii! I have arrived and departed from several 3rd world open aired airports many times, they make Honolulu look like pre historic. With the infusion of monies that improve nothing why bother! Airport Management and many ignorant Hawaiian Elder Employees should be Fired, they don’t belong!
Just charge an extra 100 dollars pp we screwed up the airport tourest fee.
I have mixed emotions about this. First, let me say that I am rarely at HHL, and always just to change planes on my way to another island. For that reason, I’m a little less interested in the issues at HNL, other than the ones effecting my ability to land, and get to my next flight. Right now, that’s an issue, and one of the many reasons I prefer to fly direct. Mostly to either the big Island, or Kauai. As far as those airports are concerned, I love the “3rd world” feel of those airports they add to the experience for me. I think some improvements are needed, but hopefully those would keep the charm of the current airports. I would like to see the same with HNL. Keep the charm, while making improvements.
I assume that OGG in Maui was built for a fraction of its current passenger load. A lack of seats, sparsely distributed restrooms, dining opportunities than cannot begin to serve the sheer mass of travelers, lack of working people-movers… traveling via OGG is a nightmare for older passengers. And over the past 20 years, nothing has changed.
You got that right. Boarding at OGG we were stuck in an extremely small boarding lounge that looked like it was stuck in the seventies. Our flight was an hour late leaving so one more hour in that atmosphere. Although an attendant helped my husband thru security and to the boarding lounge at that point he left to go help someone else. No attendants arrived at the time of boarding so I was left attempting to maneuver a wheelchair and our carryon bags down the jetway. ( there was boarding assistants at each airport on our journey there)
Agree that HNL leaves you “cold” – I so miss getting off the mainland flight and experiencing the fabulous scent of the outdoor walkway to the inter-island terminal. Oh well – I suppose it’s “progress” but it definitely isn’t “Hawaiiana”!
I have to say whenever I have landed at HNL, I am in my happy place! The flowers are so beautiful. Just knowing I am on this wonderful island. I am happy!
Maybe I am different but we don’t fly into Hawai’i (or live here as we do) for the airport. The lack of food choices is what it is. I’m not here for the airport, airport food, or anything else airport related; I am here to be here. I go to the airport, go through security check in, get to the gate and get on the plane. On the way back home, we land, get our bags and head out.
I’ve been through many “3rd World Airports.” While not the best, HNL, OGG and the rest are not “3rd World.” Heck, I like flying Southwest so we could walk the tarmac to the plane. Maybe we should all take a deep breath, realize we’re in Hawai’i and be thankful.
I completely agree with you. So many people complaining about “food options.“ One would think that everybody is starving or was about to embark on around the world flight. It’s funny what people want out of an airport. I think most folks just need to cut back on their calories and not worry so much about “food options” at airport. Bon apetit!
Eldo I totally disagree. Every Airport that I have gone through including Third World Countries, except for Honolulu, has plenty of options for Delicious Foods and Beverages. The Prices are Reflections of the Costs of doing business in the given Airport, except for Honolulu. Passengers, whether arriving or waiting to embark, are Hungry and know that the Airlines don’t have much edibles. You are fine but most are Not! Hawaii airports care more about Rental Cars than they do about Travelers.
Justin you’re somewhat correct about the “Third World” references, from what I have Experienced in Honolulu Airport and have Consistently Heard of the Negative Remarks about the Others, the Term “Third World” is at least a step or two above Hawaii Airports. I’m apologizing for Denigrating the Third World Airports as they Are quite Better. With the money spent to “upgrade” airports, seeing what it Didn’t Do, where did all of that Investment go? No one will Investigate that!