Hawaii
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
Hilo International Airport Air Traffic Statistics
Kona International Airport at Keahole Air Traffic Statistics: Statistics from 1946 to July 1, 1970 are for Old Kona Airport. Kona International Airport opened on July 1, 1970. The Air Traffic Control Center opened in 1971.
South Cape Airport (Morse Field) Air Traffic Statistics
Upolu Airport Air Traffic Statistics: Upolo is a general aviation airport with limited commuter service.
Waimea-Kohala Airport Air Traffic Statistics
Hawaii Airport District Managers
The Department of Transportation, Airports Division, appoints a District Manager to operate the state airports in each county. In Hawaii County, the airports include Hilo International, Kona International, Upolu and Waimea-Kohala.