Lihue Airport is the main airport on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Both inter-island and overseas flights operate to and from the airport. It’s used by private jet charter companies, as well as commercial carriers. The modestly sized airport isn’t used as a hub by any airline.
Lihue Airport is situated in the southeast of Kauai, close to the coast. It’s a couple of miles or so from Lihue Town, the county capital and the second-largest town on the island. If you want to visit Kauai, Lihue Airport makes a very convenient arrival and departure point.
Whether you want to see the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for yourself by helicopter, view the emerald-clad cliffs of the Napali coast from a luxury motorboat, or unwind on a picture-perfect beach, all the attractions of Kauai are at your disposal when you fly into Lihue Airport.
Key Information
Airport Name: Lihue Airport
IATA / ICAO Code: LIH / PHLI
Location: Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
Opening times: TSA checkpoint one open 5 am to 11 pm daily; checkpoints 2 and 3 are open during peak hours
Terminal: Kahului Airport has one terminal and two runways
Facilities & Other Services
Wi-Fi: According to hawaii.gov, no WiFi is currently available at Lihue Airport. However, there are plans to introduce this in the near future.
Lounges: There is one Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounge at Lihue Airport, for the use of Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club frequent flyers.
Duty-Free Shopping: There is no duty-free store at Lihue Airport, but there are some shops. These sell flowers, gifts, and clothing, and there is also a newsstand.
Restaurants and Cafes: Lihue airport has food and drinks outlets including a snack bar, cafes, bars and restaurants.
Currency Exchange: There are ATMs at the airport, located in the main lobby and each of the baggage reclaim areas.
Medical Facilities: Lihue airport has Automated External Defibrillators (AED), spaced 90-seconds’ walk from one another. Fire Fighters and Airport Rescue also provide an emergency response service 24/7.
Airlines: About seven American commercial airlines operate flights to and from Lihue Airport. The airport also serves private jet charters.
About Lihue Airport
Lihue airport is the only airport in Kauai, Hawaii. It offers flights between the Hawaiian Islands, plus transpacific routes served by U.S. carriers. The airport is under two miles from the town of Lihue, the island capital.
Like other Hawaiian airports, Lihue is state-owned and operated. It has a tropical, open-air design and is set among pleasant gardens. The airport has been used for filming several movies, including Six Days Seven Nights, Blue Hawaii, and Honeymoon in Vegas.
Previously, Port Allen Airport served the island of Kauai. However, this airport was too small and, due to its position on a peninsula surrounded by the ocean, unsuitable for expansion.
Lihue Airport opened in 1950, with a terminal building offering all the facilities that commercial and private passengers would require. The lovely, landscaped design of the site and the modern terminal ensured it was an instant hit.
Improvement and expansion programmes have taken place since 1950, including post-storm repair works. By the mid-1970s, the popularity of the island among tourists meant that various upgrades became necessary. Work also began on a new runway in 1981, and a larger terminal in 1984.
Lihue airport has been subject to various extension and upgrading works since then. Like other Hawaiian airports, it continues to be improved and expanded to satisfy the growing demand.
Kauai Travel Guide
Spending time in Kauai is all about the island’s natural attractions - as well as a warm Hawaiian Aloha welcome. Laid-back beach life and luxury resorts combine here to create paradise on earth.
The so-called Garden Isle offers swathes of tropical rainforest, various hiking trails, pristine sweeps of sand, the rugged and dramatic coastline of the Napali Coast, a range of water sports, and the island’s most famous site - the 10-mile Waimea Canyon.
Kauai highlights
Waimea Canyon: Waimea Canyon is about 10 miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep in parts. It is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The gorge is located in western Kauai. It was formed due to heavy rainfall on Mount Waiʻaleʻale, gushing into the Waimea River below.
The canyon’s characteristic red hue has colored the water in the area as the red soil erodes over time. This gave rise to the name Waimea, which means "reddish water." Waimea Canyon State Park offers hiking trails, panoramic drives, scenic viewpoints, and picnic spots, and you can see Ni'ihau Island from the area.
Helicopter flights over Waimea Canyon allow you to see the stunning landscape from above. These can also include other parts of the island, such as the Napali Coast.
Napali Coast: The Napali Coast State Wilderness Park stretches for around 17 miles along the north shore of Kauai. Due to the glorious emerald-green cliffs here, it’s an area well worth seeing from the water. Luxury private boat charters are available locally. The coastline is also sometimes referred to as the Na Pali Coast.
The area also offers the steep Kalalau Trail, which is liberally sprinkled with waterfalls and streams. You can also find beaches like Ke’e and Kalalau here. The park also includes five valleys, including historic Hanakoa Valley, which is rich in native flora.
Beaches: The most popular beaches in Kauai include the golden sands of Poipu, which offer bodyboarding and surfing; laid-back Tunnels Beach, which is favored by snorkelers; Hanalei, which offers swimming and water sports; and picturesque Haena Beach Park.
Other things to do in Kauai: Kauai has a wealth of natural and cultural attractions, as well as beaches, the canyon, and the Napali coast. These include hiking trails, the Spouting Horn blowhole, Wailua Falls, the Princeville Botanical Gardens, the natural Queen’s Bath oceanfront pool, and the lush Fern Grotto.
During your stay in Kauai, you can also see the 1913 Kilauea Lighthouse, visit the local coffee company, take a ride through sugar and fruit plantations on the Kaui plantation railway, or enjoy an authentic Hawaiian experience at the award-winning Luau Kalamaku venue. This tropical plantation offers traditional crafts, local cuisine, and hula dancing.
Kauai Climate: Kauai is cooler and wetter than other Hawaiian Islands such as the Big Island, Oahu, and Maui. The rainfall levels that created Waimea Canyon mean you can expect it to rain during around half to two-thirds of your visit.
Temperatures vary very little between the Hawaiian summer and winter seasons. On Kauai, in particular, it’s more useful to consider these as wet and dry seasons. All year long, highs tend to range between 22°C and 25°C.
The wettest months are between April and October, closely followed by March and November. From April to October, you can expect rain on around 22 days per month, with around 20 days of rain in March and 18 in November. December, January, and February are the driest months, with about 14 or 15 days of rain each.
September and October are the warmest months, with highs of around 25°C. In August and November, the temperatures are about 24°C. From December to July, expect daily highs of around 22°C to 23°C.
Overall, Kauai’s climate is warm, humid, wet, and often windy. The tropical climate ensures stable temperatures and high rainfall year-round.
Why not travel by private jet charter to Lihue Airport in Kauai, Hawaii so you can benefit from the convenience, comfort and perfect peace of a private jet? Our team is available 24/7.
