Traveling for Thanksgiving? Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation says plan ahead
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation reminds travelers to give themselves extra time at the airport this Thanksgiving holiday season, as officials prepare for a 10% increase in passenger volume at the state’s five busiest airports.
They are: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the Big Island, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL), Kahului Airport on Maui (OGG), Līhu‘e Airport on Kauaʻi (LIH).
The busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, and Sunday, Nov. 30. Peak travel times are typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“While we anticipate airports to be crowded this Thanksgiving, our dedicated airport workers from the state, federal and private sectors are ready to welcome and assist travelers,” said Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, in a press release.
He said that the department has been working with federal partners, the airlines and local vendors to prepare for the busy holiday travel season, but that travelers can take simple steps to plan ahead that “will make the process smoother and less stressful.”
Tips for air travelers:
- Prior to going to the airport, check with your airline on the status of your flight, including any delays and gate assignments, as well as baggage claim area if you’re picking up arriving passengers.
- Remember to bring your REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, passport or other acceptable form of identification to avoid delays at security checkpoints.
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure for mainland or international flights, or 90 minutes early for interisland flights, to allow sufficient time to complete every step of the travel process including finding a place to park, checking luggage and getting through security.
- If possible, get dropped off or use public transportation to get to the airport. On O‘ahu, travelers can take advantage of the city’s Skyline rail service to get to and from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, thus avoiding traffic and parking fees.
- Hawai‘i airport parking lots fill up quickly over the holidays, particularly at the Līhu‘e and Hilo Airports, so it’s recommended that passengers plan accordingly. At the Honolulu and Kona airports, travelers can check the estimated available parking counts (refreshed every 10 minutes) via the HNL and KOA websites, respectively. For HNL, estimated parking counts can also be accessed via the HNL Airport app. The maximum parking rate for a 24-hour period at HNL is $27. The maximum parking rate for a 24-hour period at neighbor island airports is $24.
- Travelers are reminded to lock their vehicle and not leave keys, valuables or the parking ticket in the vehicle while parked in an airport lot.
- Once check-in and security procedures are completed, take time to enjoy the variety of restaurants, cafes and retail shops, as well as cultural and art exhibits located throughout Hawai‘i’s airports.
Airport-specific parking information can be found at the following links:
Hilo International Airport (481 stalls)
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (1,706 stalls)
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (5,294 stalls)
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