Kalaeloa Airport, also known as John Rodgers Field, is a mixed-use airport on Oahu. It serves civil and military purposes and is a relief airport for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, also known as Honolulu Airport.
The airport is in southwest Oahu, around half an hour’s drive from Honolulu. It, therefore, makes a convenient arrival and departure point for those who want to enjoy and explore this paradisiacal island. While no scheduled services operate at Kalaeloa Airport and there are minimal passenger facilities, it’s ideal for private jet charters.
The site also features several historic buildings significant in Oahu’s World War II history.
Key Information
Airport Name: Kalaeloa Airport (or John Rodgers Field)
IATA / ICAO Code: JRF / PHJR
Location: Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii
Opening times: Air traffic control 6 am to 10 pm daily; 24-hour use as an alternate airport
Terminals Kalaeloa Airport has one terminal and three runways
Facilities & Other Services
As Kalaeloa Airport is chiefly used by the military for training and private charters, it has no passenger facilities. Therefore, there are no amenities such as Wi-Fi, lounges, shops, restaurants and cafés, or currency exchange.
About Kalaeloa Airport
Kalaeloa Airport, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, is a regional civil and military airport. It’s also known as John Rodgers Field and was previously called Barbers Point Naval Air Station. In July 1999, the airport replaced Ford Island NALF, a military facility.
Barbers Point Naval Air Station was developed by the U.S. Navy in 1939 for airship mooring. Millions of dollars were spent before the facility reopened as Kalaeloa Airport in 1999.
Kalaeloa is the original name for Oahu’s southwestern tip, which means long point. The U.S. Navy once named the airfield in honor of Commander John Rodgers, but the Hawaii Department of Transportation decided to keep this name. In 1925, the aviator was the first to fly to Hawaii from San Francisco.
Today, Kalaeloa Airport extends the capacity of Oahu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), the biggest in Hawaii. It’s also used by the Hawaii Community College Flight Programme for general aviation training, to launch U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue operations, as an emergency response base, and for commuter flights to and from other Hawaiian islands.
While scheduled flights once operated at Kalaeloa Airport, this is no longer the case. In 2014, Mokulele Airlines commenced a service between the airport and Maui’s Kahului Airport, but this proved not to be cost-effective to run, so the flights ceased after two years.
The runways at Kalaeloa Airport date from 1942, and four of the distinctive buildings are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. These include a couple of the hangars, the maintenance building, and the air traffic control tower. The airport has also undergone recent improvement programs, which have upgraded and modernised emergency power systems, communication and fire fighting equipment, airfield lighting systems, and runway paving.
Kalaeloa Airport is currently undergoing further development and improvement. This includes hangar refurbishment and construction and updating the control tower and terminal building.
Kalaeloa Airport serves civilian and military aviation requirements and is key to Oahu's World War II history.
Oahu Travel Guide
Oahu is the third-biggest Hawaiian island and home to the state capital of Hawaii, Honolulu. It is a popular tourist destination, both with Americans on vacation and visitors from all over the world. The island’s warm climate, with clear skies and sunshine, is a major part of the appeal.
The island of Oahu has lots to offer. It has spectacularly beautiful beaches hugging the coastline, lush vegetation in the interior, soaring cliffs, tropical plantations, and a laid-back, welcoming vibe. With a range of activities and an abundance of luxury accommodations, Oahu is ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups alike.
Oahu highlights
Waikiki and Honolulu: Oahu is famous for the iconic, bustling Waikiki beach, which is always buzzing and is surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs, and shopping malls. This part of Honolulu is also awash with high-rise hotel buildings. Thanks to the hula show at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki Aquarium, and Honolulu Zoo, you can also enjoy a taste of the exotic in the Honolulu area.
Due to the impressive breaks, Waikiki is also popular with surfers. Around half of the palm-lined beach is a designated surfing zone. You can also savor stunning views towards Diamond Head from the white sands of Waikiki.
Diamond Head: located east of Waikiki, it is probably the most instantly recognisable natural landmark in the Hawaiian islands. It’s a volcanic tuff cone with a distinctively shaped ridgeline, resembling the dorsal fin of a tuna fish. Locals often refer to Diamond Head as Lēʻahi for this reason.
Diamond Head State Monument attracts visitors for several reasons. It’s known for the two-hour Diamond Head Summit Trail, a loop of just over a mile and a half. The hike is moderate in difficulty and involves ascending and descending dry, sloping terrain.
Diamond Head is rich in military history and is approaching 500 acres in size. Visitors can savor sweeping coastal views from the summit of the volcanic crater—a welcome reward following a moderately challenging ascent.
Pearl Harbor: Immortalised in the 2001 movie starring Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, and Josh Hartnett, Pearl Harbor is famous because of a surprise military attack that took place in 1941. During the morning of 7th December that year, Japanese forces staged an attack on the U.S. naval base on Oahu. Until then, the U.S. took a neutral stance regarding the Second World War.
You can visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial to learn about its history and honor those whose lives were lost. The site is free to visit, though reservations for specific programmes are recommended. These include the Ford Island Bus Tour and the USS Arizona Memorial Program.
North Shore: Oahu’s famous North Shore is a relaxed stretch of tropical coastline known for its tropical beaches. It’s only around 30 minutes drive from Kalaeloa Airport or Honolulu, yet it feels like a laid-back world away from the high rises of Waikiki.
The North Shore is primarily known for its surf-battered beaches, and professional sporting contests take place in the area. Charming Haleiwa Town also has plenty of appeal, with lovely eateries, independent galleries, and many surf shops.
Snorkeling among colorful fish and other marine life is popular at Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, particularly during summer. You can also tour the Dole pineapple plantation’s gardens and fields while spending time in this part of Oahu.
Other things to do in Oahu: In addition to visiting the above sites, Oahu has lots more to keep visitors happy. You can hike to hidden beaches or waterfalls, sample adrenaline activities like skydiving or swimming with sharks, take helicopter tours for spectacular aerial views, and join boat cruises, including whale-watching in season.
Guests can also try the delicious island food, which includes poke and acai bowls, manapua buns, and spam dishes (yes, really). For dessert, sample shave ice and the local coconut cream pie.
Visit Oahu, and you can also learn to surf, do some scuba diving, snorkeling, or SUP boarding, stay at deluxe spa resorts, shop til you drop, sip cocktails with a stunning sea view, and much more.
Oahu Climate: The Hawaiian islands are prized for their clear, sunny climate, and Oahu is no exception. It has a tropical wet and dry climate. Summer - or the dry season - here is between May and October, with highs of about 27°C to 30°C and around three days of rain per month.
During the wet winter season between November and April, the weather is only slightly cooler, with highs of around 25°C to 27°C. Oahu typically experiences around half a dozen storms per year, and most will be during these months. Five days of rain per month is average at this time of year.
To most visitors, the weather in Oahu feels hot and humid all year round.
Why not travel by private jet charter to Kalaeloa Airport in Oahu, Hawaii, so that you can benefit from the convenience, comfort, and perfect peace of a private jet? Our team is available 24/7.
