Airfields & Airports

 

Oahu
  • The first airfield on Oahu was Luke Field at Ford Island. Airfields were expanded to Wheeler and Schofield Barracks. John Rodgers Field was dedicated by the Territory of Hawaii in 1927. Construction of Hickam Field began in the late 1930s. Before World War II, new airfields and airstrips were opened by the military, including NAS Barber’s Point, Ewa and Kaneohe, and Bellows Field. Small airstrips were also developed by private pilots.
  • John Rodgers Airport
    • John Rodgers Airport was the first airport in the Territory of Hawaii. It was dedicated on March 27, 1927. The airport was named after pioneer aviator John Rodgers who made the first trans-Pacific flight on August 31, 1925.
  • Honolulu International Airport
    • John Rodgers Airport was renamed Honolulu Airport on May 2, 1947 after it was returned to the Territory by the military after World War II. The airport was renamed Honolulu International Airport on April 27, 1951. A new jet age passenger terminal (John Rodgers Terminal) was constructed on the north ramp and dedicated on August 22, 1962. The south ramp where the airport was originally located became home to cargo, general aviation and aircraft maintenance activities. A new Commuter Terminal was dedicated on June 2, 1988. A new Interisland Terminal was dedicated on July 20, 1993.
    • Honolulu International Airport Air Traffic Statistics
    • HNL 1950s
    • HNL 1960s
    • HNL 1970s
    • HNL 1980s
    • HNL 1990s
    • HNL 2000s
    • HNL 2010s
    • Airport Division Managers
  • Ala Moana Airport
    • In 1944 the Territorial Department of Public Works proposed that an airport for private flying be created by a combined coral dredging and fill project on the reef between downtown Honolulu and the Waikiki section of the city.  Such an airport was proposed in the planning report submitted to the 1945 session of the Legislature by the Territorial Post War Planning Advisory Board.
  • Ala Wai Heliport
    • The Ala Wai Heliport was a State-operated heliport facility located makai of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Lagoon and adjacent to the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor.  The heliport consisted of a parking pad, a take off and landing pad, and perimeter fencing.  No overnight parking was permitted; transient parking was limited to 15 minutes for loading and unloading of passengers. No fuel facilities or fueling was permitted at the heliport.
  • Barber’s Point
    • Barber’s Point Naval Air Station was commissioned on April 15, 1942. The base was decomissioned in 1998 and turned over to the State of Hawaii for use as Kalaeloa Airport, an alternate landing site for Honolulu International Airport and for general aviation purposes.
  • Bellows Field
    • The Waimanalo Military Reservation was established in 1917. The installation was renamed Bellows Field in 1933 to honor 2nd Lt. Franklin B. Bellows.
  • Dillingham Field
    • Dillingham Field was originally known as Mokuleia Airfield and was established by the Army in 1922 as Camp Kawaihapai. Today it is used by the state for glider and sky diving activities.
  • Ford Island/Luke Field
    • Ford Island consists of 335 acres of land situated in the East Lock of Pearl Harbor.
  • Haleiwa Field
    • Haleiwa Field was located on the northwest coast of Oahu, 30 miles from Honolulu. Originally (prewar) it was a center for private flying. The Army improved the field during the early part of World War II and in 1944 the Navy took the field over for carrier-landing training. In 1946 the field became part of the Territorial airport system.
  • Hickam Field/Air Force Base
    • In 1934, the Army Air Corps saw the need for another airfield in Hawaii and assigned the Quartermaster Corps the job of constructing a modern airdrome from tangled brush and sugar cane fields adjacent to Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. The site selected consisted of 2,200 acres of ancient coral reef, covered by a thin layer of soil, located between Oahu’s Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges, with the Pearl Harbor channel and naval reservation marking its western and northern boundaries, John Rodgers Airport to the east, and Fort Kamehameha on the south.
  • Kalaeloa Airport
    • Formerly Barbers Point NAS, Kalaeloa Airport was deeded to the State of Hawaii on July 1, 1999 as a general aviation reliever airport. It also supports the U.S. Coast Guard, Hawaii National Guard and the Hawaii Community College Flight Program.
  • Kaneohe Naval Air Station
    • The Navy decided to acquire all of Mokapu Peninsula to expand Naval Air Station Kaneohe, a sea plane base it had begun building in September 1939 and would commission on 15 February 1941.
  • Kipapa Field
    • Kipapa Field was situated on the central plateau of Oahu 15 miles from downtown Honolulu on the road which leads to Haleiwa Airport.
  • 1947 Kipapa
  • Naval Air Station 29 (Honolulu)
  • 1945 US Naval Air Facilities Honolulu Report
  • 1945-46 US Naval Air Facility Honolulu Report
  • 1947 US Naval Air Station Honolulu Report
  • Naval Air Station 128 (Pearl Harbor/Ford Island)
  • Wheeler Field
    • On February 6, 1922, a detachment of 20 enlisted men from Luke Field, proceeded to Schofield Barracks, under Lt. William Agee, to clear the flying field and construct housing for the divisional air service.  Two canvas hangars were erected and the field cleared of weeds, guava and algeroba trees.  Thus Wheeler Field got its modest start.
  • Dillingham Field Air Traffic Statistics
    • Dillingham Field is used by general aviation, glider and parasail companies and the military.
  • Ford Island Air Traffic Statistics
    • Ford Island was leased by the State from 1970 to 1999 for use by general aviation, student pilots and flight schools. It was closed when the State acquired Kalaeloa Airport.
  • Kalaeloa Airport Air Traffic Statistics
    • Kalaeloa Airport is used primarily by general aviation aircraft, flight schools and the military.
  • Governor’s Executive Orders Kalaeloa Airport
  • Gallery
Hawaii
  • Airfields on the island of Hawaii were located in Hilo, Kamuela, Kona, South Cape and Upolu.
  • The Beginning of Aviation on the Big Island
    • The history of aviation on the Big Island dates back to June 10, 1911 when Clarence H. Walker came to Hilo for an exhibition flight in his Curtiss Biplane.  There were no airports on the island, so Hoolulu Park was selected for the runway.  Walker was able to get a few feet off the ground in his trial flight. Later Walker attempted to fly over the city.  The engine on his $6,500 aircraft began missing and he lost altitude rapidly.  He crashed minutes later into a lauhala tree as he attempted to land, destroying the plane but surviving the crash.  This was the first aircraft accident in the Territory of Hawaii.
  • General Lyman Field/Hilo International Airport
    • On February 25, 1925, Speaker of the House Norman K. Lyman of Hilo introduced a resolution requesting the governor to set aside 50 acres of land at Waiakea for a landing field.  This was amended to 100 acres the following day by the Aviation Committee.  A resolution was also introduced authorizing Territory officials to use convict labor to level the land for the landing field.
  • Ka Lae/Kau Airport
    • On October 15, 1926 Governor’s Executive Order No. 258 set aside 517 acres in Ka Lae, Kamoao, Kau, Hawaii for a military reservation to be used as a site for an aeroplane landing field for the U.S. Air Service to be under the control and management of the War Department.
  • Kamuela Airport (Bordelon Field)
    • During World War II, the 3rd Marine Corps built a small airstrip near Kamuela, Hawaii, consisting of a graded and oiled airstrip 3,000-feet long on land belonging to Parker Ranch. It was designed for use by liaison aircraft in connection with their training operations in Hawaii. This facility was known as Bordelon Field.
  • Kona Airport at Kailua
    • The first airplane landing in Kailua-Kona was on August 21, 1935 by Hilo aviator Alfred W. Smith. Smith landed his Aeronca single-seated monoplane on a cleared area about a mile north of Kailua, the first airplane ground landing ever made in Kona.  Previous flights to the Kona district of the Big Island were made by seaplanes.
  • Kona International Airport at Keahole
    • Kona International Airport at Keahole is located on the western coast of the Island of Hawaii, approximately 10 miles from the town of Kailua Kona.
  • Morse Field (South Cape Airport)
    • On February 6, 1940, Governor’s Executive Order No. 869 set aside 182.38 acres of land for an addition to the Kalae Military Reservation as previously set aside by GEO No. 258, which was covered by Presidential EO No. 4635.  The Kalae Military Reservation was located at South Point and was previously an Army airfield and known as Morse Field.
  • Naalehu Airport
    • The Superintendent of the Territorial Department of Public Works proposed construction of a Class I Airport at Naalehu, Hawaii in 1947.  The airport was proposed as a unit of the Territorial Airport System primarily because of the tourist interest in the area and also to encourage private flying.
  • Paauilo Airport
    • In 1947 the Superintendent of the Territorial Department of Public Works proposed building a Class I airport at Paauilo on the northeast coast of the Big Island, halfway between Upolu Airport and Hilo Airport.
  • Upolu Airport
    • Upolu Airport is located three miles northwest of the town of Hawi on the northern tip of the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.
  • Waimea-Kohala Airport
    • Waimea-Kohala Airport is located south of Kamuela Town at an elevation of 2,671 feet in the northern portion of the Big Island of Hawaii.
  • Governor’s Executive Orders
  • Air Traffic Statistics
  • Photos
  • Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center
Kauai
  • Airfields on the island of Kauai were located at Lihue, and Port Allen.
  • Hanalei Airport
    • In 1947 the Territorial Superintendent of Public Works proposed building a Class I Airport at Hanalei, Kauai. The airport was proposed primarily for personal flying and for accommodation of small charter planes from Honolulu. The proposed site was in a broad pasture area near the sea just east of Hanalei Bay.
  • Hanapepe Airport
    • Governor’s Executive Order No. 245 dated May 22, 1926 set aside 65 acres of land at Puolo Point, Hanapepe, Kona, Kauai for a military reservation to be used as an Aeroplane Landing Field for the U.S. Air Service under the control and management of the War Department.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Hanapepe Airport
  • Lihue Airport
  • Mana Airport/Barking Sands Airport
    • Mana Airport was established in 1928 by the Territorial Legislature at a site in Mana, known as Barking Sands. In 1940, the land was set aside for the Mana Airport Military Reservation. During World War II and until 1950, Barking Sands was the primary commercial passenger airport on the island of Kauai until Lihue Airport opened.
    • Barking Sands Airport Air Traffic Statistics
      • Barking Sands was the primary commercial airport on the island of Kauai during and after World War II until 1949 when Lihue Airport opened.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Mana Airport
      • Mana Airport was established by the Territorial Legislature in 1928 and land was set aside by Governor’s Executive Orders. The area was later acquired by the Army for Mana Airport Military Reservation.
  • Port Allen Airport
    • In the early 1920s the U.S. Signal Corps and U.S. Army Air Corps used a portion of land near Port Allen as a landing strip (Burns Field). A Signal Corps reservation adjoining the airstrip housed personnel operating a communication station on the airfield.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Port Allen Airport
    • Port Allen Airport Air Traffic Statistics
      • After World War II Port Allen Airport was used by interisland air carriers. When Lihue Airport opened, Port Allen was closed to passenger traffic. It is now used primarily by helicopter companies for scenic tours.
  • Princeville Airport
    • Princeville Airport opened in 1977 as a quasi-public general aviation airport.  Two commuter airlines served the airport with frequent daily flights.
    • Princeville Airport Air Traffic Statistics
      • The State leased and operated Princeville Airport for a period of time.
  • Puu Ka Pele Heliport
    • Governor’s Executive Order No. 2294 dated October 3, 1966 set aside 2.814 acres for a heliport and accessory purposes in Waimea, Kauai under the control and management of the Hawaii Department of Transportation.
    • Governor’s Executive Order No. 2847 dated July 5, 1977 cancelled EO No. 2294 as the land was no longer required for a heliport.
    • No funds were expended on the heliport.
  • Wailua Airport
    • Governor’s Executive Order No. 259 dated October 15, 1926, set aside a 116.25 acre military reservation in Wailua, Puna, Kauai, as a site for an aeroplane landing field for the U.S. Air Service to be under the control and management of the War Department.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Wailua Airport
    • Kauai Airport District Managers
      • The Department of Transportation, Airports Division, appoints a District Manager to operate the state airports in each county. In Kauai County, the airports include Lihue Airport and Port Allen Airport.
  • Photos
Lanai
Maui
  • Airfields on the island of Maui were located at Hana and several locations in the vicinity of Kahului.
  • The Beginning of Aviation on Maui
    • The first flight to Maui was made by Army Major Harold Clark on May 9, 1918 from Fort Kamehameha on Oahu.  When Major Clark tried to continue the flight to the Big Island he crashed on the slopes of Mauna Kea.  It took him and his passenger two days and nights to walk out to civilization. This was the first inter-island flight. Soon thereafter several Army pilots flew HS-2 aircraft to Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Kauai.
  • Hamoa Airport (Old Hana Airport)
    • The original Hana Airport was a small grass field located at Hamoa. It was served by Inter-Island Airways with eight-passenger amphibians from May 1935 to the start of World War II.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Old Hana Airport at Haneoo
      • Old Hana Airport operated under authority of the Territory from 1935 to 1951 when it was replaced by the new Hana Airport a short distance away.
  • Hana Airport
  • Kaanapali Airstrip
    • The Kaanapali airstrip was built by Amfac, Inc. at a cost of $40,000 to provide direct access to the developing resort area of Kaanapali. It opened in June 1962.
    • Kaanapali Airstrip Air Traffic Statistics
  • Kahului Airport
    • The history of Kahului Airport was one of extensive negotiations that began with the passing of Joint Resolution 18 on May 19, 1947 by the Territorial Legislature.  It noted, “As the U.S. Navy will abandon use of its Kahului Airport on Maui, and this airport may be more economically operated and provide safer airplane operations than the territorially owned airport at Puunene, the superintendent of public works is directed to make a survey with CAA officials and the U.S. Navy to determine whether or not the Kahului airport can be made available for civilian flying in lieu of Puunene Airport; and determine whether airplane operations at Kahului airport can be carried on more safely than at Puunene; and whether or not the Kahului airport can be operated more economically than Puunene.”
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Kahului Airport
    • Kahului Airport Air Traffic Statistics
    • Naval Air Station 27 (Kahului)
  • Kapalua Airport (West Maui)
    • Hawaiian Airlines developed and constructed Kapalua Airport for less than $9 million after the private Kaanapali Airstrip was closed.  The airport opened on March 1, 1987. The airport is located in West Maui, approximately .03 miles above Honoapiilani Highway on 57 acres of land.
    • Kapalua Airport Air Traffic Statistics
  • Kula Airport
    • The Superintendent of the Territorial Public Works Department proposed constructing a Class I airport at Kula, Maui.  The strip was chosen to encourage inter-island flying by small private and charter planes and to encourage private flying by the residents of Maui.  At the time, the only facilities for private flying on Maui were at Maui Airport and Hamoa Airport.
  • Lahaina Airport
    • On October 6, 1941, Act 35, SLH 1941, appropriated $5,000 for an airport in Lahaina. Due to the onset of World War II, the funds were never expended.
  • Maalaea Airport
  • Maui Airport (Puunene)
    • On June 15, 1938, Governor’s Executive Order No. 804 set aside 300.71 acres of land at Pulehunui for the new Maui Airport to be under the control and management of the Superintendent of Public Works.  The Department of Public Works started construction on the new airport shortly after July 1, 1938.  The airport was opened on June 30 1939.  Development was continued by various agencies including the U.S. District Engineers under the Civil Aeronautics Administration Territorial Airport Program, then by a joint Army-Navy program.  It was completed by the Navy.
    • Naval Air Station 30 (Puunene)
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Maui Airport
  • Maui District Airport Managers
    • The Department of Transportation, Airports Division, appoints a District Manager to operate the state airports in each county. In Maui County the airports include Hana, Kahului, Kapalua, Lanai, Kalaupapa and Molokai.
  • Photos
Molokai
  • Airfields on the island of Molokai were located at Hoolehua and Kalaupapa.
  • Kalaupapa Airport
    • The Territorial Aeronautical Commission considered in December 1929 that if the baseball field at Kalaupapa was cleared of stones and the take-off lengthened about 250 or 300 feet, it would give the Territory a good emergency landing field on the island.  The work on the field would be done by patient labor, not to exceed $500.  There was almost a constant wind at the upper end of the field.  However, it was decided that no steps would be taken to acquire the field until a letter came from the superintendent of the Leper Settlement. In January 1930, the Board of Health agreed to pay half of the cost of developing the field.
    • Kalaupapa Airport Air Traffic Statistics
  • Molokai Airport (Hoolehua Airport)
    • On July 15, 1927, aviators Emory Bronte and Ernest Smith made history when they crashed their Travelair monoplane City of Oakland into kiawe trees on the southeast coast of Molokai.  It was the first successful trans-Pacific flight by civilians.  The pair was expected to land at Wheeler Field on Oahu, but ran out of fuel over Molokai causing them to crash land.  Neither was hurt although their plane was totaled. The men were in the air 24 hours before they ran out of gas.
    • Governor’s Executive Orders Molokai Airport
    • Molokai Airport Air Traffic Statistics
  • Pukoo Airport
    • In 1947, the Territorial Superintendent of Public Works proposed constructing a Class I airport at Pukoo, Molokai.
  • Photos
Seaplane Anchorages
  • The most important seaplane anchorages were located at Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay on Oahu; Kahului and Lahaina on Maui; Nawiliwili and Port Allen on Kauai, and Hilo on Hawaii.
  • Hilo
French Frigate Shoals
Ceded Lands
  • Portions of lands underlying Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Keahole airports are lands which were ceded by the Republic of Hawaii to the United States in 1898 and subsequently conveyed to the State by the United States at or following Hawaii’s admission to the Union in 1959. Click for more information.