Kahului Airport – OGG

Dated. Disorganized. Cluttered. We fly in and out of here almost yearly for the last 28 years. There has been on remodel. Time yo at least clean.

Lines are super long and not to mention you’re outside in the humid heat waiting for TSA. Granted it’s a small airport, there’s just something about it that seems overall unorganized to me. Remember to take your luggage through the agriculture check before checking it in. No wifi either.

Wish they had more food options. Made my way to Starbucks and California pizza.
TSA was pretty fast today. I was surprised and pleased.
Not too many complaints.

I’ve been in and out of the Kahului Airport for years and it has really improved in the last few. The airport is one of the better smaller airports I’ve flown in and out in the United States, plus it is easy to navigate. Now the airport in general is pretty decent for a small airport. I’m a bit surprised by some of the negative comments by fellow Unilocalers, which makes me wonder if some have actually flown through the airport or not.
There are two agricultural checks for passengers to go through (one for checked baggage and the second is located before the gate areas for all mainland flights). No matter what airport you are at in Hawaii, all mainland flights are required to go through agricultural checks. TSA lines are a hit and miss here, luckily I have global entry and can use the TSA pre-​check line. One thing I feel that slows down the lines here for TSA is passengers not following directions regarding liquids. At least two different people in the TSA line in front of me had to throw out bottles of liquids over the 3-​ounce rule, which of course slowed down the line for security screenings.
Part of this airport is open air while the gate areas are enclosed with air conditioning. The check-​in counters, agricultural check for checked baggage, baggage claim, and TSA are basically located in the open air sections of the airport but do have fans in the area. The air conditioning in the gate area actually kept the place cool, in addition there were some electrical plugs scattered throughout the terminal to use. There is a moving walkway throughout the terminal but it wasn’t working while I was at the airport on two different occasions (it looked like it was being worked on). Additionally there are a few food options once you are through security, plus a Starbucks as well. The bathrooms in the terminal have also been modernized and updated since the last time I was here. Previously the bathrooms were located in the open air section of the terminal and were hot, but now there are some in the enclosed section of the terminal. The airport also was pretty clean in the gate areas and the bathrooms.
Overall this is probably my favorite small airport in the US. For some reason this place seems to get bad reviews at times, but I think the major issue is people have a false preconception about Hawaii and think hula girls will be greeting them when their planes land.

This airport is a minimalist’s wet dream. You will find next to nothing here. No AC, no proper food options, no WiFi, no clean facilities, and in some instances, no Windows or barriers from the outside world! You can purchase hot dogs if you’re hungry and a cab to your hotel will probably run you about $ 60 with no other proper transport to and from the airport.
The time from being dropped off to your gate is fairly short (+1 star). Renting a car or better yet booking it before you arrive is highly recommended to avoid disappointment /​being stranded.
Overall, Maui’s big airport is overdue for an update. I’m sure there is enough $$ with the hordes of tourists flocking this place.

This airport is almost like an open-​air type of airport. They have small gift shops and starbucks. The gate can get pretty warm so I say maybe they need to add more air conditioning and upgrade their restrooms.
They need to offer free wifi here too!

Flying out on a Saturday afternoon seems like a breeze. I was dropped off at the Hawaiin Airlines terminal and through TSA in less than 30 minutes. The airport is very open and breezy, there are even birds flying in and out of here. It has a zooish, museumish feel to it, and reminds me of Jurassic Park. There’s a small food court in the center and it’s surrounded by souvenir stores and last stop shops.

You know, it wasn’t bad but it wasnt the best. I actually really like the openness of the airport. For people who complain about openness must be very spoiled. This is Hawaii, where it’s all about the nature. How do you expect to really experience it if all the locations you went to had A/​C and walls everywhere?
People will always find something to complain about.
It’s not just this airport that is really busy and has long lines for the TSA, it’s EVERY airport at this time of the year.
If you come here with an open mind and a positive outlook, this venue will be of value to you.
ENJOY HAWAII!

I dont know whats up with all the airports in the islands of Hawaii but they are mostly all open-​air with some excluded area within the airport.
I dont like that obviously because it gets too hot and humid especially when you are travelling in and out, you get exhausted pretty easily too.
One thing for sure though, this airport is NICER than the Hilo airport for sure. There are more attractions and small shops here in this airport along with Starbucks. The restrooms here are much cleaner too.
They even have CPK and Pinkberry inside the airport which is pretty convenient for many people.
I never walked outside of this airport because I was only here for my connecting flights but people tend to go out and get Krispy Kreme donuts before flying back to their home island. I dont like Krispy Kreme and I can care less about them.

First of all, no airport in a tropical climate should be allowed to have an open air airport. It makes for a very uncomfortable environment, and I hate boarding a plane all hot and sweaty. The only places with air conditioning is in the shops, or at the gates.
Secondly, this airport is so incredibly dated, it’s embarassing.
Third, no free wifi! REALLY?! No excuse for such a popular destination…
I had read reviews complaining about the wait times to pass through security. I went through the Nexus line, which had no line up, and was extremely fast to go through. My travel companions were in the regular line up, which had a moderate line up, but no long wait times. We got to the airport 2 hours before departure, and made it through with enough time to frequent the shops. (all 3 of them… yay)

The airport is nice, it includes a Starbucks Coffee, Burger King & a few other restaurants. The overall customer service good. However, the reason I’m writing this review is to highly suggest you to ARRIVE EARLY before traveling.
There will be a total of 3 CHECKPOINTS!!! Not sure if it was lack of staff but it was pretty busy, to the point I felt I was making a theme park line.
When you arrive before check in there will be an agricultural check point which checks you for plants and fruits (Yes, do note plants and fruits are restricted to take to Mainland US.) I did see people with lays inside so it seems those are ok. Upon checking in you will find the standard TSA checkpoint which was probably the longest line we have ever seen and made. It took us about 35 – 40 minutes.
After TSA on your way to your gate you will find the third check point. There will be signs that says. «Yes, you have to do this again!»
Luckily we arrived with plenty of time to return our car rental and proceed to all the checkpoints.
We had a 30 day pass to the Admirals club so unfortunately we were unable to use it because of the delay and we had to rush to buy something to eat make sure we had food for our flight since we made it a few minutes before it was time for boarding…
Safe Travels!

Aloha!
I love small airports!
This one is not open air airport and needs little bit update.
Workers are relaxed and extremely helpful. Airport must be great place to work at.
Mahalo for reading this.

Aloha everyone, this is the only major airport in Maui and its more on the smaller side. They have some restaurants you will see in the middle of the terminal after you pass through security, CPK (lite version), Burger King, Starbucks, Maui Bar. A little pricey off course at the airport. No, there is no ahi poke you can get last minute before you leave. :)

This is an airport that needs a major airlift. When you arrive for vacation, you walk through the bland concrete halls and the fun gets drained from you. No leisure at the end of walk will help.
We have had mixed experiences with TSA here, from 5 minutes to two hours. Make sure you get here early when leaving.

Amazing this fairly small airport provides sufficient service to thousands who come in and leave Maui daily. OGG is a well oiled machine. Must be that local coconut oil they use. They’ve got their system down. Agriculture line and TSA went smooth and at a steady pace. Most travelers were hella relaxed after their vacations no one grumbled. Polite travelers and friendly staff. Except one elderly man at a closed Agriculture line. Either he couldn’t hear or just needs to accept its time for him to retire.
Flying in or out you approach from Hana side. Yes oogle the jagged perimeter of the island. Study that thing. If you really have big huevos rancheros that Road to Hana will prove you wrong. Keep an eye for the majestic peak of the mountain. That is why you packed a down jacket, beanie and thermal for 80 degree balmy weather. That’s Haleakala, House of the Rising Sun. Wake up 4am and drive up to greet the sun and say hello to Madame Pele. The temperature will drop well below 30 degrees from whatever temperature it was when you were getting a tan. Then look below at the town of Kahului. Up against the valleys is Wailuku and ‘Iao Valley. You’ll also be right over Paia and Upcountry. Gorgeous.
All of this prior to the plane touching down and again at take off when you may be crying because you don’t want to leave or so sh*tfaced because plane rides frighten you.
The airport is very simple. Come through the corridors. Pass through a central area of a few shops and down to baggage and out to rental car. Simple easy airport. Dig it.

The simplicity of this airport is spot on! Easy to get around, small, and has the perfect eating spots — aka, BURGER KING!
Very rarely have we ever had to wait more than a couple minutes in line at security but even when the line is long they move it quickly along.
They have Starbucks, California Pizza Kitchen, a lame ass, over priced restaurant (Sammys) and couple snack stands.
Drop off for rental cars is really easy and quick to get to and from the airport. Flights all arrive and depart at good times for checking in and out of resorts and it’s located right by a Costco and Wal-​Mart so you can stock up before heading out.
Seems to always be enough seating.
Even though is a little old and not the prettiest, it’s still a pretty good airport! Alohaaaaaaaa!

It’s an Airport so of course in can be total Chaos or a real Breeze. You won’t know for sure til you get there.
It’s a mix of the old traditional open to the outside and newer air conditioned enclosed waiting area at the gate only. Ticketing, baggage and TSA are all open to the outdoors. Can be a bit rough when the humidity is high.
Lately I have been going to get the rental car while others wait for the bags when we travel. That works really easy here. Looping back through with the car to pickup passengers curbside is no problem.

Rated almost to the bottom of the airport terminal barrel sits Kahalui Airport (OGG).
To its defense let me say Maui No Ka Oi as OGG is a small home grown terminal with local caraciture, Open air (no air conditioning unless you’re within the boarding gates area), one general TSA entry point, one main eaterie, a few kiosk souvenier stands, and restrooms (modernized)
The passenger load at this terminal is nothing to sneeze at with the many direct flights from the continental US and daily international flights. Yet, the terminal has minimal upgrades and renovations in fact, I’m going so far as to say the renovations completed were merely those for the terminal to be in federal aviation and safety compliance.
So there you have it! One Pro and One Con. I am hopeful the terminal will improve over time as Maui (OGG) is No Ka Oi…

Before you endure the road to Hana, you got to endure the Kahului Airport.
Old style airport with a terminal designed like a rectangle with 38 gates.
Getting off the plane from San Jose, we are hit by the high humidity and tropical heat, even in November. 52 degrees in San Jose, 86 degrees in Kahului. No air conditioning on the open second story level of this airport.
I don’t use the bathrooms on airplanes, and hold it for 7 hours from embarkation 45 minutes before the flight, to discharge from the rear of the plane 15 minutes after arrival .
Same restroom I’ve used the last three times I arrived at this airport. Two urinals, one low so that the kids can reach it, and one tall, and 3 toilets. If you are using the low urinal accurate aim is essential or your shoes will get wet! Better than getting wet the shoes of the 300 lb local standing beside you! Real sorry bro!
Sometimes there is a line for the men’s restroom, when a plane arrives, something you don’t see at other airports.
Minimal ventilation, and even in paradise it smells bad, with wet spots in front of the urinals, — too infrequent cleaning of the bathrooms. Three sinks, but only soap dispensers on the edges of the two outside sinks.
The toilet doors are still on their hinges, free of graffiti, unlike those I see in the parks around east San Jose. Rickety hand wash paper dispenser, which frequently jams up, or runs out.
If you are at gate 1, you will have to walk past 18 gates to get to the luggage claim area –no level escalators here. Can take 12 minutes easily, to walk half a mile.
No car rental? No problem. Roberts Hawaii has round trip shuttles that run to and from the airport to all the hotels and condos in the main cities on the island. $ 33 per person round trip to Maui Kamaole.
Different rentals have different pickup points, in different areas of the airport. Alamo and National shuttle pickup are together and in the back of the airport, whereas other rental pickups are in the loop area in front of the airport.
Good design of circular loop around the airport, so if you miss your drop off or pickup spot, you can go through the loop again in a very short time.
Free shuttle to the car rentals, a short distance away. I’m ready to do the NFL 40 yard dash as soon as the shuttle stops at Alamo, as the shuttle is always crowded, and nobody wants to do any more waiting than necessary a the car rental line.
Only one road leading in and out of the airport, and that road branches out in five different directions: to Hana, to Haleakala, to Kihei-​Wailea, to Lahaina, and to Wailuku, so you have to be in the correct lane well before the exit.
Returning to the airport to catch a flight is a much more time consuming process than leaving.
You have to drive the entire loop, through the airport, to return the car –no driving directly to the car return. There are pedestrian signals throughout the crowded two lane airport loop.
$ 39.95 a day compact. After 50% taxes, and airport surcharges $ 360 for 6 days car rental at Alamo.
After you return the car, and catch the free shuttle back to the airport, you need to go through an agricultural inspection of luggage, including carry ons. No biggie unless you have a wife like mine with a 40 lb. suitcase –the agricultural inspectors are not allowed to lug your luggage onto the inspection ramp.
Second you need to stand in the first of three more lines. One line for baggage tag print out, one line for baggage check in, and one line for TSA security. One TSA security line for all 38 gates. My wife and I are prescreened, so we get in the shorter pre-​checked in line.
I can’t just show my driver license, but have to remove it from my skin tight wallet, even though the picture is crystal clear in my $ 75 Coach wallet.
TSA got tired of complaints of my foot odor, so don’t have to remove my shoes. No metal in the shoes when going through the body scans. No liquid containers of more than 3 ounces allowed.
We are assigned to gate 5, and after a 10 minute walk, we are reassigned to gate 7. Waiting area not air conditioned.
Very few electrical outlets, maybe three pairs per gate, in areas of the outer and inner wall. You will have to run the cord a few feet to reach the outer wall outlets from your seats, and hope the parents of the running kid who tripped on that cord don’t sue you.
Very few restaurants or cafes. I ask my wife to get me a whopper at Burger King. $ 5.29 plus tax for the whopper, and that’s with no cheese nor mayo. Expensive, but they know they have you by the short hairs and charge you accordingly.
Free wifi? In the true Aloha spirit, the airport charges 40 cents per 5 minutes, with a $ 5 minimum charge. And you thought you had escaped the last tourist traps on this island!

I flew into and out of Kahului Airport in Maui last week and again this week while the Husband, his kids and I were on vacation.
The airport is small (about half the size of my hometown Sacramento Airport) but I like it because it’s easy to navigate and get in/​out of.
There are plenty of bathrooms and seats to relax in either inside your terminal or outside on one of the many open air walkways inside the airport. OPEN air walkways INSIDE an airport?! How cool is that? Nice to immediately get some fresh air after being stuck in a plane for hours.
Rental cars are also easy to access. Go to the right after leaving baggage claim and you will run into the shuttle buses that run constantly to take you to your appropriate rental car company. There are plenty of shuttles, so it’s OK if you don’t make the first one. (There was a small line when we arrived)
Also when you are leaving the airport, be prepared to pass through two agricultural stations as well as a thorough security check. Be careful about what you bring back! We saw a lady get caught with a jar of mayonnaise. (?)
My only grip about this airport would be that the food options are quite limited. In the main lobby there is a Starbucks, a tiny newsstand and a gift shop that sells macadamia nuts. Those are about your only quick snack options unless you want to visit one of the restaurants and get something to go.

WHAT: Named after Captain Hogg thus OGG as part of his last name. There’s a mural telling you the entire story in front of Gate 19. Airport seems stuck in the 70s or 80s with the dark brown wood décor. Open air type structure due to the weather I’m sure. Staff all wear short sleeves.
SECURITY: Must go through the agricultural scan twice. Once before checking your check in bag and again for your carry on. Signs aren’t posted telling you this. Guess they’re big on not bringing out plants. We went to the check in to be told to scan our bags first by the entrance and get a sticker wrapped around the luggage handle then a stamp on the luggage tag. I messed up on the self serve bag tag so be sure to line the sticky sides together and press.
RENTALS: outside to the right there are some shuttles that pick you up for rentals. There are also some shuttles that pick up out front by the number 2 toward the left so ask your car rental company where they do their pick ups.
OVERALL: A OK score. Old fashioned airport but everything is maintained so I guess there is no need for an update. Food choices are slim like Burger King, California Pizza Kitchen, and a surf and grill restaurant.

Would I be bias if I said that OGG is like most things on Maui, «the best» compared to anywhere else. Probably, but let’s talk about why:
The size. No one wants to be lost in an airport the size of Manhattan. Thankfully, our airport is nice and compact. Walk up, check in, get through security, up the stairs you go, follow the signs, sit and wait. Easy. Simple. I don’t think many people can get lost at this airport. It’s pretty basic, and I’m really a fan of that.
The people. Dressed in aloha shirts and smiles, most the staff is pleasant, friendly and helpful. The flight attendants and pilots all wear leis. Who doesn’t love that?!
The last minute stops to shop. Did you need a pair of aloha socks before take off? How about a bag of mac nuts or a bar of plumeria scented soap? The stores there have you covered. Never again will you have to leave the island without that perfect something for someone, or an awesome snack for the plane ride.
The view. So while waiting you can either get a nice view of Iao Valley, Upcountry or Haleakala. I’ve seen a rainbow a time or two while waiting to board a flight. Nice big windows throughout for those last few shots of the Valley Isle.
I don’t love to fly, but I do love this airport. I don’t feel the stress and chaos at OGG. Maybe it’s the island vibe or the aloha floating through the air… whatever it is, I like it.