Airport Overview
Lihue Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located in the Līhuʻe CDP on the southeast coast of the island of Kauaʻi in Kauai County, Hawaiʻi, United States. It is two nautical miles east of the center of the CDP.
LIH airport is owned by the State of Hawaii and operated by the Department of Transportation, Airports Division. It occupies an area of 915 acres (370 ha).
Airport Stats & Facts
- Lihue Airport is mostly un-walled and open-air, and the check-in is completely outside.
- For the 12-month period ending on December 31, 2018, the airport saw over 129,000 aircraft operations, an average of 355 per day.
Airport Traveling Tips
- Travelers are advised to arrive at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure.
- Make sure to pack the luggage according to the guidelines and do not forget to carry a photo ID.
- Passengers are recommended to not wrap gifts, as security officers may have to search contents of packages.
- Before heading to the Lihue Airport for a flight, please refer to the LIH Airport map here.
Passenger Pickup and Drop-off
- Passengers can be picked up and dropped off outside the terminal.
- Drivers waiting to pick up arriving passengers may wait in the Cellular Telephone Waiting area, located curbside along Ho`olimalima Place, next to the car rental facilities. It is free for up to one hour.
Flight Status
- The Arrival flight status provides the arrival times, gate information, delays, and time to land for the Lihue Airport.
- The Departing flight status lists scheduled vs actual departure, gate information, map tracking, and flight delays.
- To get the best deals, book a flight at LIH here.
Airport Terminals
Lihue Airport has one main terminal with 8 gates - Gate 3, Gate 4, Gate 5, Gate 6, Gate 7, Gate 8, Gate 9, and Gate 10.
To see the terminal location, and for more information, please refer to the LIH Airport Map here.
Airlines Served
The various airlines served at Lihue Airport include Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and more.
View the full list of airlines here.
Airport Parking
Public parking is available at Lihue Airport.
Automatic ticket dispensers issue parking tickets at the entrance to the parking area. Present the ticket to the cashier as you exit.
Rates:
0-15 Minutes - Free
16-30 Minutes - $1
31-60 Minutes - $2
61-120 Minutes - $2
121-180 Minutes - $2
181-240 Minutes - $2
241-300 Minutes - $4
301-360 Minutes - $2
Lost ticket minimum per each 24 hour $15.
Ground Transport
Passengers have a variety of ground transportation options after arriving at the Lihue Airport including car rentals, bus, taxicabs, etc. They can choose according to their requirement and convenience.
Car Rentals
All major car rental companies are represented at Lihue Airport. To pick up your car, proceed from the baggage claim area to the Rent-A-Car booths across the street from the terminal.
Taxicabs
Taxicabs are available at curbside of baggage claim areas. The rates are subject to change, and travelers are recommended to consult the taxi dispatcher or driver on arrival for current fares and information.
Bus
The County of Kauai provides bus service on the island of Kauai from Kekaha to Hanalei. Two of the bus routes stop at Lihue Airport daily. The bus stops in the median in front of the Terminal.
Amenities & Services
For passengers to have an awesome stay, Lihue Airport provides visitors with many different amenities and services including:
- Restaurants, cafes, and bars.
- Stores, gift shops, and local souvenir shops.
- Banks & ATMs.
- Multiple art installations and exhibits on display.
Contact Information
Address: 3901 Mokulele Loop 6, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Website: http://airports.hawaii.gov/lih/
Contact: airkauai@hawaii.gov
Phone: (808) 274-3912
Lihue Airport: A Brief History Timeline
- In 1944, the Civil Aeronautics Administration deemed the old Port Allen Airport too small to accommodate even two-engine planes, and due to its location on a small peninsula bounded on three sides by the ocean, it could never be enlarged.
- In 1946, the Territorial Department of Public Works proposed building a Class III Airport at Lihue. The proposed airport would serve the entire Island of Kauai.
- Lihue Airport was the first modern terminal building in the islands.
- On January 9, 1950, the scheduled passenger and mail flights were completed.
- In August, 1950, a contract was signed for the construction of a freight terminal and airport maintenance shop. Temporary runway lights were replaced by medium intensity runway lights and a fully automatic emergency generating system in September, 1951.
- Immediately on the opening of Lihue Airport in January, 1950, passenger traffic started a rate of increase.
- In January, 1990, The Lihue Airport Master Plan was approved.
- In October, 2003, a three-bay storage facility and an extension was made to the airport maintenance baseyard.
- On October 1, 2004 the FAA granted authority to impose and collect passenger facility charges (PFC) at the airport. The PFC revenue was utilized for FAA approved projects.
Maps, Airlines & Amenities
