Kona International Airport (KOA) is the primary airport for tourism on the Big Island, serving travelers from across the Pacific Ocean and other Hawaiian islands.

Located in Kailua-Kona near major resort areas and hotels on the Big Island’s west side, KOA is the third busiest airport in the state after Oahu (HNL) and Maui (OGG).

Flight Information at KOA

Destinations

Direct Flights to/from Kona Airport

Direct flights change regularly due to seasonal demand. At certain times of the year, you may find direct flights to/from Japan, Alaska, and Western Canada. There are many direct flights to major airports in the western United States. These flights can shift for some airports so it’s worth checking if your home airport is a direct option even if you haven’t seen it in the past.

Indirect Flights to/from Kona Airport

Honolulu is the major airport in the State of Hawaii. HNL connects Hawaii to all corners of the world. Often flights to/from the Big Island route through HNL. Occasionally, Maui (OGG) may also be a layover airport.

Inter-Island Flights to/from Kona Airport

It is so much fun to visit more than one Hawaii island on a vacation. You might want to land on Oahu for a few days, then take a quick inter-island flight to the Big Island. Or you may want to enjoy both the Big Island and Maui. It adds depth and adventure to experience more than one island if you have the time.

Airlines Serving Kona Airport

Inter-Island

• Mokulele

• Hawaiian (Mainland and Inter-Island)

• Southwest (Mainland and Inter-Island)

Mainland United States

• Alaska

• American

• Delta

• Hawaiian (Mainland and Inter-Island)

• Southwest (Mainland and Inter-Island)

• United

International

• Japan Airlines

• Air Canada

• WestJet

Getting to & from KOA

Ground Transportation

Ground transportation options are limited on the Big Island, so reserve your ground transport early. There are many things to see and experience on the Big Island, but they are very spread out. You are going to need a car. Parking is easy wherever you go.

Rental car companies at KOA include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty and Turo. Rideshare services (Lyft, Uber) are available on a limited basis; I wouldn’t visit the island and plan for a ridesharing app to get me everywhere on the island.

Alternatively, your resort concierge can help you schedule car service or a shuttle to/from the airport and tours for sightseeing.

Facilities and Services at Kona Airport

Kona is a tiny, open-air airport. There are 10 (walk out to the airplane on the tarmac) gates split across 2 small terminals.

Check-In and Security

KOA is relatively quick to get through, mostly because it’s so small. Regular TSA and TSA PreCheck lines are available.

Food, Dining, and Retail

I recommend that you eat before you go to the airport. If you have a specific diet, be sure to bring your food and snacks with you. There is one restaurant in each of the two terminals, both named Laniakea Cafe. They have some warm options like burgers and hotdogs.

There are a couple of newsstands that carry snacks like a convenience store would.

There is a gift shop in each terminal.

Arrivals & Departures

KOA is a ground-level airport, so passengers board the airplane by walking across the tarmac from the terminal and then up a ramp.

The terminal is all open air and very fast to walk through.

Conclusion

Kona is a great little airport that is so easy to travel through. The amenities are very limited, so bring everything specific that you may want with you. Going through an open-air airport is a fun experience and fitting of a tropical adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

History of Mau’umae Beach

Mau’umae is part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. This 175-mile “trail by the shoreline”, according to the National Park Service, connects storied landscapes, ancient Hawaiian sites, and more than 200 early Hawaiian land divisions.

At the southern end of the beach is a private estate with an extraordinary history. It was once the beach home of Hartwell Carter, Parker Ranch manager in the early 1900s. The property then became the exquisite estate of the Matson Roth family of San Francisco, heirs of the Matson Navigation Co. It is currently owned by a private family.

Seclusion and Tranquility

Mau’umae is tucked into a cove, so the ocean tends to be calmer than other Kohala Coast beaches. The sand is soft and white. It makes for quite a tranquil setting, which is such a special experience in the Hawaiian Islands. Early in the morning would be your best chance of having the entire beach to yourself, for a bit of time at least.

Activities

Swimming in Mau’umae’s calm waters is a lovely experience. You could bring a floaty to bob on the water or go snorkeling to see which tropical fish you can spot near the rocky ends of the beach.

Bring some refreshments or a picnic to enjoy. It’s a quiet beach, so a beach read would also be a great option.

Amenities

Since Mau’umae is secluded, there are no amenities. Everything you bring in, you will also need to carry out.

Before walking to Mau’umae, I recommend using the restroom when you park at Spencer Beach Park.

After Mau’umae, you can do all of your post-beach tasks at Spencer. There are trash receptacles, for example, as well as outdoor showers to rinse off.

Safety Tips

Occasionally in the winter, there can be large wave events on the Kohala Coast. Avoid swimming if there are giant swells. There is not a lifeguard at this beach.

There won’t be shade at this beach until the trees grow back, so be sure to protect your skin from the intense tropical sun.

Mau’umae closes at sunset. It gets dark quickly. It’s best to get an early start back to Spencer.

Location and How to Get There

Mau’umae Beach is located on the Kohala Coast, between Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Spencer Beach.

Access to Mau’umae is through Spencer Beach Park’s parking lot, open 7:00am-8:00pm.

Enter “Spencer Beach Park” in your phone map app (62-3461 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea). Upon arrival at Spencer, drive as far south in the parking lot as possible. Park and look for signs to Mau’umae Beach / Ala Kahakai Trail. Walk 10 minutes to Mau’umae Beach.

Note: Limited walk-in access was previously available through Mauna Kea resort, however, the 2023 wildfire destroyed the access bridge. At the time of writing, Google Maps still shows access through Mauna Kea. Remember to go to Spencer Beach for parking.

Conclusion

Mau’umae provides a unique opportunity to visit a secluded Hawaiian beach with few people. Its gentle waves and soft sand make it easy to swim and enjoy. This gentle adventure to this hidden gem will be one you remember.

For more tips on planning your trip to the Big Island, see our comprehensive Big Island Hawaii Travel Guide.