Daniel K. Inouye International Airport

Before being renamed in 2017 in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and U.S. Senator from Hawaii Daniel K. Inouye, the airport was known for nearly 70 years as Honolulu International Airport. Since it is still the only significant commercial airport on the island, people will still understand when you refer to it by its previous name HNL Airport.

Know Before You Go

The airport itself is undoubtedly distinctive, with outdoor corridors connecting the terminals and beautifully manicured areas brimming with local tropical plants and flowers for visitors to enjoy. More than 20 million travelers pass through this airport each year as it serves as the main entry point to the Hawaiian Islands.

Since it is the sole international airport in the state, any passenger arriving from abroad must pass through HNL. You won't be able to locate a direct flight from Japan to Maui, and this includes tourists who are travelling to the other islands. The airport's 4,520 acres of land comprise three terminals and four operational runways, one of which was the world's first significant offshore runway to be constructed.

Airport Terminals

The hub for Hawaiian Airlines' inter-island and domestic flights is located in Terminal 1. All other airlines and international flights land in Terminal 2. Only interisland commuter airline Mokulele Airlines is now housed in the smaller Terminal 3, which is restricted to the ground floor.

For Terminals 1 and 2, passengers enter on the second level; for Terminal 3, they enter on the ground floor. As soon as you step off the plane, signage will point you in the direction of baggage claim and ground transportation. All terminals' baggage claim areas are on the ground floor, although there are steps, elevators, and escalators to help you get there.

Before You Land at the Airport

The flight attendants will present you with an agricultural declaration form to sign before you land, regardless of where you are travelling from, including other regions of the United States. Hawaii is free of the majority of agricultural illnesses and pests because its ecology is distinct from that of the rest of the United States, including rabies and snakes. Therefore, all agricultural products, plants, and animals must be declared. This implies that transporting pets to Hawaii necessitates a mandated quarantine followed by release.

From 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day, Daniel K. Inouye Airport offers free Wiki Shuttle service between terminals. The Wiki Shuttle picks up passengers at gates C to G in Terminal 2 every 15-20 minutes.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Parking

The airport's parking facilities are all open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, with a 30-day maximum stay. Visitors to HNL have three parking garage options, and it's crucial to select the appropriate one so you don't end up going too far or getting confused trying to find the right terminal.

The International Arrivals Building is just across from the International Parking Garage. You can drive into the garage from the Airport Access Road's ground level or from Terminal 1's top floor by using the vehicle bridge. Walk from the structure's ground level to International Arrivals or Terminal 2 after parking, or head across the walkway on the 6th level of the structure to Terminal 1.

The rate of the parking lot ranges from $1 to $126. Honolulu Airport has three parking facilities for overnight parking with rates ranging from $1 per 30 minutes, $18.00 per day, and $126 per week.

Ahead of Terminal 2 lies the Terminal 2 Parking Garage. From the Airport Access Road's second level, across from lobby 5, you can access the garage. From three different locations on the fourth floor of the parking garage, there are walkways that go to Terminal 2.

Driving Directions

The Airport Entrance Road's second and ground levels both provide access to the Terminal 1 Parking Garage, which is located across from Terminal 1. There are exits for the airport from both the eastbound and westbound H-1 motorway. At Rodgers Boulevard, turn right to travel east or left to travel west from Nimitz Highway. There is direct access to the H-1 Freeway from every exit at the airport, including those from the parking garages. Traffic on Oahu is notoriously bad, so give you extra time when driving during rush hours.

Public Transportation and Taxis

Routes 19, 20, and 31 of the city's public bus system, TheBus, give access to the airport. On the second level, bus stops are situated on the centre median of the route. There are ticket booths and pickup points for Roberts Express Shuttle outside of Terminals 1 and 2. There are designated pick-up areas on the second level for ridesharing services; one is outside Terminal 1 Lobby 2 and another is outside Terminal 2 Lobby 8. There are designated ‘taxi dispatchers’ to help you, and taxi services are available from the centre median outside of each terminal's baggage claim facilities.

Where to Eat and Drink

You may grab-and-go at A Shack 4 Eva or enjoy a sit-down lunch at Gordon Biersch if you're close to Terminal 2 by the C gates. There are fast food restaurants like Burger King and Chow Mein Express in Terminal 2's centre as well. If you want to get one last Hawaiian beer before your trip, head to Island Brews in Terminal 2 by the G gates.

Find Jose Cuervo Tequileria with Mexican delicacies and margaritas at the F gates. In Terminal 1, there is an E Komo Mai snack shack by the B gates for yet another grab-and-go option. Visit the Cold Stone Creamery or Honolulu Cookie Company at Terminal 2 by the airport if you're in the mood for something sweet.

Where to Shop

Duty-free stores may be found throughout Terminal 2's main area and are significantly more numerous close to the C gates. In case you forgot your headphones, there are six Best Buy Express kiosks spread out throughout the airport that are open 24 hours a day. Stop by Hawaii Market in Terminal 2 by the E gates to get packaged Hawaiian food to bring home.

Both Terminals 1 and 2 offer free Wi-Fi with the option to upgrade to better speeds through Boingo. In Terminal 2, between Gates F2 and E3, and in Terminal 1, next to Gates B5, A15, and A19, are computer work/charging stations.

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Tips & Facts

A long-standing custom in Hawaii is to provide ‘lei’ as a welcome to the islands. At the Honolulu airport, where leis have been sold since the 1940s, 12 stands are still in operation. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can find them on the left side of the airport access road, just before Terminal 1.

Visitors can rent computers, print papers, send mail or faxes, and even buy office supplies at one of HNL's five separate business centers.

The USO Military Lounge is accessible to service members and their families, and it is located close to baggage claims E and F.

Visit the Terminal 2 Cultural Gardens, which are located around the ticketing lobby and E gates, if you have some additional time before departure. Three landscaped gardens with natural plants from Japan, China, and Hawaii are connected by stone walkways and bridges. It's the ideal method to get away from the airport's commotion.

• Attractions near Honolulu (HNL) Airport
• USS Arizona Memorial - Pearl Harbor (15-25 Minutes)
• Keehi Lagoon Beach Park (5-10 Minutes)
• Bishop Museum (10-15 Minutes)
• Ala Moana Center (20-35 Minutes)
• Pearlridge Center (15-30 Minutes)

FAQs about Daniel K. Inouye International Airport