Hawaii's Big Island gateway on the sunny Kona Coast.
Opened
1970
Location
Kailua-Kona, United States
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole serves the western side of the Island of Hawaiʻi, commonly known as the Big Island. Located about 7 miles north of Kailua-Kona, it is the second-busiest airport in the state of Hawaii and a major entry point for tourists visiting the Kona and Kohala Coast resort areas.
The airport is named in honor of Ellison Onizuka, a native of the Big Island and NASA astronaut who perished in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Its open-air, Hawaiian-style design reflects the region's warm, dry climate and cultural character.
The facility handles both mainland U.S. and inter-island flights, connecting visitors to popular destinations such as the Kona coffee region, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and world-class snorkeling and diving sites along the coast.
Terminals
The airport features a single open-air terminal building with separate areas for arriving and departing passengers, consistent with Hawaii's mild outdoor climate.
Getting to & from
Ground transportation from the airport to Kailua-Kona and resort areas includes rental cars, taxis, shared shuttles, and private car services, though there is no public bus service directly to the terminal.
Airlines here
Major airlines serving KOA include American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Ellison Onizuka, a Big Island native and Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut who died in 1986.
- ›The airport features an open-air design, taking advantage of Kona's consistently dry and mild climate.
- ›It is located approximately 7 miles north of downtown Kailua-Kona near the Keāhole Point area.
- ›KOA is the second-busiest airport in Hawaii by passenger traffic, after Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
- ›The airport serves as a key entry point for visitors to the Kohala Coast luxury resorts and Kona coffee country.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
