Traveling To and Around Hawaii, A First-Time Visitor's Primer

Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism.Island to avoid confusion) has two airports, Hilo
Most first-timers planning a trip to one or moreInternational Airport (ITO), and Keahole Airport
than one island have numerous questions relating(KOA). These two airports are a 2.5 hour drive
to where exactly to go and how exactly to getfrom each other. Hilo is closest to Honokaa,
there. This primer will answer those questions.Kapoho, and Volcano. Keahole is in Kailua-Kona
All interisland flights are through Hawaiian Airlines,which is closest to all of Kona, Puako, Kohala,
Aloha Airlines, or Island Air. Best prices will usuallyWaikoloa, and Waimea. There are direct flights
be through the website or through your mainlandfrom the mainland only to Keahole. There are no
flight company.ferries from the Big Island to any other island.
Oahu is the hub of Hawaii transportation. MostKauai has one airport, Lihue Airport (LIH), in Lihue,
mainland and International flights will fly into theand you can find direct flights from the mainland
Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Travelerson some carriers. Lihue is about halfway to
heading on to another island may have to deplaneeverything on the island - but a bit closer to Poipu
and get on an interisland flight to reach their finalthan Princeville. There are no ferrys from Kauai to
destination. The airport is located on the outskirtsany other island.
of Honolulu, about a 20 minute drive to Waikiki,Molokai has one airport, Molokai Airport (MKK) in
and about a 45 minute drive to the North Shore.central Molokai. You will probably have to take a
There are no ferries from Oahu to any othersmall airplane in, usually no bigger than a 20 seater.
island.Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu or Kahului.
Maui has three airports. The major airport isSmall commercial boats will ferry you from Maui
Kahalui Airport (OGG) which allows direct flightsto Molokai.
from the West coast of the U.S. mainland. TheLanai has one airport, Lanai Airport (LNY), near
drive from the airport to Kihei or Wailea is lessLanai City. Lanai airport also only accepts small
than half an hour, but can take an hour to Lahainaairplanes. Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu.
or Kaanapali. Much closer to the Lahaina area isSmall commercial boats will ferry you from Maui
Kapalua Airport (JHM) but you can only fly thereto Molokai.
from Honolulu. Hana (HNM) also has an airport ifBy 2007 Hawaii Super Ferry should be operating
you don't want to drive, but you'll be taking abetween all the islands and will hopefully
very small plane. Check with Pacific Wings. Yourevolutionize our current expensive and inefficient
can normally find day ferries from Maui to Lanaiinterisland travel systems. Until then, book your
and Molokai.flight online and early.
The Big Island (named Hawaii, but called the Big