Lihue Airport: Your Gateway to Kauai (From Someone Who Almost Missed a Flight There)
I have a confession. The first time I flew into Lihue Airport on Kauai, I was so distracted by the view on approach that I forgot to put my tray table up. The flight attendant had to tap my shoulder twice. In my defense, have you seen what it looks like descending over the eastern coastline of Kauai? Emerald mountains, turquoise water, red dirt cliffs. It’s absurd.
Lihue Airport — code LIH — sits on the southeast coast of Kauai near the town of Lihue. It’s the only commercial airport on the island, so every tourist, returning resident, and inter-island commuter comes through here. The airport handles both domestic and inter-island flights, and it does the job well enough for an island of Kauai’s size.
How It Got Here
The airport opened in 1948, replacing the older Port Allen Airport which was further south. The new location had better terrain for a longer runway, which meant bigger aircraft could land. That was a big deal at the time since air travel to the outer islands was still developing. Through the 1950s they extended the runway, and a new terminal building went up in the 1980s. That’s what makes Lihue endearing, actually — the place has this retro Hawaiian feel that bigger airports lost decades ago.
Layout and Facilities
It’s a single-terminal airport with two concourses: A and B. Don’t let the lettering intimidate you. This is a small airport. You can walk from one end to the other in about five minutes. Gates serve various airlines across both concourses.
Inside you’ll find restaurants, gift shops, car rental desks, and restrooms including family facilities. Free Wi-Fi works throughout the terminal, which I was grateful for when I needed to pull up my rental car confirmation on the spot.
Parking includes short-term and long-term lots. There’s a cell phone waiting area if you’re picking someone up and don’t want to circle the terminal. Ground transportation outside includes taxis, shuttles, and rideshare pickups.
Airlines and Routes
Probably should have led with this since it’s the first question most travelers ask. Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, American, and United all fly into Lihue. You can get direct flights from the West Coast — LA, Seattle, San Francisco, and a few others. Inter-island flights connect you to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island, with Hawaiian Airlines running the most frequent schedule.
The frequency of inter-island flights is honestly impressive for such a small airport. During peak season you might see departures every 30-45 minutes to Honolulu alone.
Getting Through Security
TSA runs the security checkpoints here just like everywhere else. My advice? Get there two hours early for mainland flights and at least 90 minutes for inter-island. I know that sounds like overkill for a small airport, but during peak travel periods — holidays, spring break, summer — the lines can get weirdly long. I once stood in a security line for 40 minutes during a Wednesday morning in July. Didn’t see that coming.
There are Customs and Border Protection facilities for international arrivals, though honestly most traffic through Lihue is domestic.
Sustainability Stuff
One thing that surprised me about Lihue Airport is their push toward sustainability. They’ve installed solar panels on the terminal roof, which makes sense given how much sun Kauai gets. Recycling bins are everywhere — paper, plastic, aluminum. They also support the use of sustainable aviation fuel, which is more of a behind-the-scenes thing but still worth noting.
It tracks with Kauai’s overall environmental vibe. This island takes its natural beauty seriously, and the airport seems to be following that lead.
Tips From My Trips Through LIH
- Check your flight status before leaving your hotel. Weather on Kauai can be unpredictable, especially on the north and east sides. Delays happen. Better to find out before you’re sitting at the gate for three hours.
- Rent a car. I cannot stress this enough. Kauai doesn’t have Uber everywhere, taxis are expensive, and public transport is limited. The best parts of the island — Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast lookouts, the north shore — are only accessible by car. Or helicopter, I suppose, if that’s your budget.
- Pack light through security. Same TSA rules as everywhere. Liquids under 3.4 ounces, laptops out, shoes off. You know the drill.
- Bring a water bottle. It gets warm in the terminal, and staying hydrated in Hawaii is just general good practice.
- Don’t rush out. The airport area itself is fine, but the real magic starts once you hit the highway. Take a breath. You’re on Kauai.
Fun Facts
The runway at Lihue is 6,500 feet long, which is enough for large commercial jets. In 2019, the airport handled over 2.5 million passengers, which gives you a sense of how popular Kauai has become. Also, film crews have used the airport and surrounding area as a shooting location. Kauai has been the backdrop for dozens of movies — Jurassic Park being the most famous — and the airport occasionally gets caught up in that Hollywood connection.
What’s Next for Lihue Airport
There’s talk of terminal expansion to handle more passengers, which is probably overdue given how tourism numbers have grown. Plans also include more renewable energy infrastructure and improved ground transportation flow. Parking is always a pain point at small airports, so any improvements there would be welcome.
For now, Lihue Airport works. It’s not glamorous. It won’t win any design awards. But it gets you to one of the most beautiful islands on earth, and it does so without too much hassle. I’ve flown through worse airports that were ten times the size. Sometimes smaller just works better.
