What to do at Honolulu airport

That_Spoony_Bard

So the Mrs and I are flying to Hawaii on Friday (Honolulu), and we are going with a bunch of friends. Our friends rented a car, but I'm not able to get on the rental car contract. We fly into HNL at 12:30, and the rest of the gang won't get there until 6ish. What are some things we could do to kill time, either at the airport or in the immediate vicinity?

radroadkill

There are airport shuttles to take you unto town but they really only go to hotels. The Bus doesn't let you take suitcases... Are you going to have suitcases?

There's also not much to do in the airport itself, to be honest. Oh! But do you like beer? If you like beer there is a small Kona Brewing Company in there. I believe they do food like the actual full-blown restaurant does. Not sure if they do the same food but it's excellent local-grown and caught if do and the beer is tasty.

Cryogen

Are you staying at a hotel? Honestly, 5.5 hours at Honolulu airport would be really, really dull, there's not much to do there at all. I would definitely take a shuttle to your hotel and then just wander around until your friends get there.

That_Spoony_Bard

Cryogen wrote: »

Are you staying at a hotel? Honestly, 5.5 hours at Honolulu airport would be really, really dull, there's not much to do there at all. I would definitely take a shuttle to your hotel and then just wander around until your friends get there.

Huh, I'll have to look into it. We're staying in a condo-resort type thing on the other side of the island, so it's about a hour drive. I didn't think of that, thanks!

radroadkill

Taking a shuttle is about the only way to get there with luggage and no car. Depending on where you are going (Kailua, North Shore, ???) it can run anywhere from $50 to $90 to get there.

Shuttle Rates

There really is nothing to do around that area that you can bring luggage to or in the airport. I'm assuming your accommodations are beachside so you can at least get settled in and hit the shore for a bit.

Creidhes

That_Spoony_Bard wrote: »

Cryogen wrote: »

Are you staying at a hotel? Honestly, 5.5 hours at Honolulu airport would be really, really dull, there's not much to do there at all. I would definitely take a shuttle to your hotel and then just wander around until your friends get there.

Huh, I'll have to look into it. We're staying in a condo-resort type thing on the other side of the island, so it's about a hour drive. I didn't think of that, thanks!

Does someone have a vacation in Turtle Bay? ((jealous)) A shuttle up to Turtle Bay would probably cost some money (for just a few hours head start on your traveling party really). You could jump on The Bus (2 bucks), but I wouldn't recommend it with any serious amount of luggage.

I second the notion of the Kona Brew Pub in the airport. It's inside the security area (so don't go down to luggage right away). They have a decent amount of local beers available and pretty full menu. They also have plenty of tv's to watch sports games (and around that time of the day you can ask them to change the station for you, no prob).

Brainiac 8

Hawaii has one of the best public transit systems in the US, it's constantly running, and almost always on time. My wife and I used it exclusively during our vacation there, and never bothered to rent a car.

Get the bus schedule and just take it to your resort, I'm sure there are several bus stops near your resort.

radroadkill

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Hawaii has one of the best public transit systems in the US, it's constantly running, and almost always on time. My wife and I used it exclusively during our vacation there, and never bothered to rent a car.

Get the bus schedule and just take it to your resort, I'm sure there are several bus stops near your resort.

The Bus is reliable, yes, but it takes forever and 7 days to get from city side to the Kailua/Kona side.

Orestus

Having spent plenty of time sitting around in the HN airport for work travel, I can confirm there is not that much to do in there. There's a decent little food court, some bookstores, the pub that was mentioned, and a few other little sundry stores, but the main problem is all of that is behind security so if you go out to get your luggage after you land you're stuck. It's in a pretty industrial area and I can't think of anything worthwhile to walk to.

The airport is pretty close to the historic sites at Pearl Harbor, you could take a cab up there for pretty cheap and just have your friends pick you up once they land (unless its rush hour its no more than 10 mins from the aiport), I don't know if they have lockers or anything for luggage there though.

Either way, I'd figure out the route your friends will take once they land, find something interesting along it, and take a cab there and wait to be picked up rather than sit in the airport.

Brainiac 8

radroadkill wrote: »

Brainiac 8 wrote: »

Hawaii has one of the best public transit systems in the US, it's constantly running, and almost always on time. My wife and I used it exclusively during our vacation there, and never bothered to rent a car.

Get the bus schedule and just take it to your resort, I'm sure there are several bus stops near your resort.

The Bus is reliable, yes, but it takes forever and 7 days to get from city side to the Kailua/Kona side.

It's quicker than waiting around at the airport for 5 and a half hours, and much cheaper than a taxi.