Transportation in Hawaii

The Department of Transportation^[1] of Hawaii is responsible to design, plan, construct, maintain and operate state facilities in all modes of transportation which includes land, air and water. The department in order to achieve these objectives includes coordination with other county, state, and Federal programs is maintained. The department has three modal divisions which include airports, highways, harbors, and a Support Services or Administration Division. Deputy Director is the head of the four Divisions.

Road Transportation in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii is encircled by a system of state highways. Due to congestion in cities and narrow winding roads travel can be slow. The department also has adopted several programs like the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Adopt-A- Highway program for the improvement of transportation system of the state.

Hawaii Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

The Hawaii Statewide Transportation Improvement Program is a multi-modal transportation improvement program which is developed using the existing transportation plans and policies transit and transportation programming processes and current highways.

To know more about the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program Click here.

Adopt-A-Highway Program

Adopt-A-Highway program of Hawaii is a public service program which is responsible to keep the highways of Hawaii clean. It is a process for environmentally conscious people to make a contribution to a cleaner State.

To know more about Adopt-A-Highway Program Click here.

Highways in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii is composed of two thousand four hundred fifty (2,450) lane miles of highway. The major Highways in Hawaii are Interstate H-1, Interstate H-2, Interstate H-3 and Interstate H-201.

Interstate H-1 is the busiest Interstate Highway in Hawaii. This Highway starts near Campbell Industrial Park in the town of Kapolei and it continues towards Waianae.
Interstate H-2 is also referred as the Veterans Memorial Freeway. It starts at the Waiawa Interchange at Interstate H-1.
Interstate H-3 is also called as the John A. Burns Freeway. The highway starts at Hālawa and it interchange with Interstates H-1 and H-201. The Highway runs through Hālawa Valley until it reaches the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels through the Ko'olau Mountains.
Interstate H-201 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the state og Hawaii.

To know more about State routes in Hawaii Click here.

Hawaii Scenic Byways

The scenic Byways in Hawaii give a mesmerizing view. The byways showcase their cultural, archaeological, natural, historic, recreational and scenic qualities. The scenic Byways in Hawaii include Mamalahoa Kona Heritage Corridor, Royal Footsteps along the Kona Coast, Kau Scenic Byway- the Slopes of Mauna Loa and Holo Holo Koloa Scenic Byway.

To know more about Hawaii Scenic Byways Click here.

Important Contact Details

Report A Highway Problem

Oahu: (808) 831-6714 after Hours (808) 485-6200
Maui: (808) 873-3535
Kauai: (808) 241-3032
Hawaii Island: (808) 933-8866

Bus Service in Hawaii

Each county of Hawaii operates its own bus service. To know more about the bus service in Hawaii such as disruptions, schedules, fees and routes click the link below:

Air Transportation in Hawaii

The Airport division^[2] of Hawaii is responsible to manage, develop and maintain an efficient and safe global air transportation organization. Presently the transport department maintains and operates eleven commercial service airports and four general aviation airports. The major airports in Hawaii are Hilo International Airport, Honolulu International Airport, Kahului Airport, Kona International Airport, Molokai Airport, Lanai Airport and Lihue Airport.

Honolulu International Airport

Honolulu International Airport is the largest airport Hawaii. One can fly to all of the Hawaiian Islands from Honolulu.

There are also departures daily from airport to Atlanta, Anchorage, Belllingham, Calgary, Brisbane, Chicago, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Guam, Houston, Haneda, Incheon, Las Vegas, Kansai,Los Angeles, Manila, Nagoya, Melbourne, Narita, , Oakland, Newark, Pago, Phoenix, Sacramento, Portland,Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Seoul, Seattle-Tacoma, Sydney and Vancouver.

Contact Details
Honolulu International Airport
300 Rodgers Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone no: (808) 836-6411

To know more about Honolulu International Airport Click here.

Kahului Airport

Kahului Airport is the primary airport located on the island of Maui. The airport has the facilities of both overseas and inter-island flights. This airport is the second busiest and the newest in terms of terminal facilities in Hawaii.

Contact Details

Kahului Airport
1 Kahului Airport Road
Kahului, HI 96732-2395
Phone no: (808) 872-3830

To know more about Kahului Airport Click here.

Hilo International Airport

Hilo International Airport is situated on the east side of the Hawaii Island. Hilo International Airport is served by inter-island airlines. The airport has two runways which are Runway 8-26 and Runway 3-21 and two terminals which are General Lyman Terminal and Commuter Terminal.

Contact Details

2450 Kekuanaoa Street, Suite 215
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone no: (808) 961-9300

To know more about Hilo International Airport Click here.

Kona International Airport

This airport is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii. It serves domestic, overseas, international, and

inter-island flights. The airlines that operates from the airport are Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, GO! Mokulele, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, United Airlines, US Airways and Westjet.

Contact Details

Kona International Airport at Keahole
73-200 Kupipi Street
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2645
Phone no: (808) 327-9520

To know more about Kona International Airport at Keahole Click here.

Also know about

Rail Transportation in Hawaii

The Hawaiian Railway Society is an educational non-profit organization which is responsible in preserving, protecting and restoring the rich railroad history of Hawaii. The society serves the only historic railroad on the island of Oahu. It is the only operating railroad museum in the state of Hawaii.

Contact Details

Location Address
Hawaiian Railway Society
91-1001 Renton Rd
Ewa Beach, HI 96706-3402

Mailing Address
Hawaiian Railway Society
P.O. Box 60369
Ewa Station
Ewa, HI 96706

To know more about Hawaiian Railway Society Click here.

Passenger carriers in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii also has some passenger rail carriers which are:

Hawaiian Railway:It is a narrow gauge heritage railroad situated in Ewa in the state of Hawaii on the island of Oahu.

Honolulu Rail Transit: It is a rapid transit project that gives high-capacity elevated urban rail service to the county and city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

The Lahaina, Kaanapali and Pacific Railroad (LKPRR):This railroad was a steam-powered, narrow gauge heritage railroad located in Lahaina in the state of Hawaii.

Defunct railroads in Hawaii

Some of the defunct railroads in Hawaii include Ahukini Terminal and Railway Company, Hawaii Railway,Hawaii Consolidated Railway, Hawaiian Railroad, Hilo Railroad, Kahului Railroad, Kauai Railway, Koolau Railway, Oahu Railway and Land Company and West Hawaii Railway

Water Transportation in Hawaii

The Harbors Division^[3] of Hawaii plans, designs, constructs, maintains and operates state facilities in all modes of water transportation. It looks after the harbor system throughout the state which facilitates the smooth movement of people and goods to, from and between the Hawaiian Islands. Presently the division operates ten commercial harbors.

Ports in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii consists of several ports^[4] which are located on major Hawaiian islands. The ports of Hawaii include:

Nawiliwili Harbor: It is primary port located on the island of Kauai. The Nawiliwili bay and its nearby areas gave fertile grounds for the early native inhabitants.

Port Allen Harbor: This harbor is located on the south coast of the island and is the second commercial harbor located on the island of Kauai.

Honolulu Harbor: It is a natural harbor formed due to the restrictions of coral growth by the fresh water pouring into it from the Nuuanu stream. Earlier it was called as the Ke Awa o Kou or the harbor of Kou and later it was renamed as Honolulu Harbor.

Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor: This is the most recently constructed harbor. Its construction was complete in the year 1990. It is also the second busiest harbor in the state.

Kahului Harbor: This harbor is situated on the north shore of Maui islands. This harbor is regular stop for passenger cruise ships.

Kaunakakai Harbor: It is located on the south central shore on the islands of Molokai.

Kaumalapau Harbor: This harbor is located on the southern shore on the island of Lanai.

Hilo Harbor: Hilo harbor is one of the two commercial harbor located on the island of Hawaii.It is located on the northeast coast of the island.

Kawaihae Harbor: Although this harbor does not have a prominent position in the development history of the Island of Hawaii but the harbor has contributed to the maritime development of the island for several years.

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