LIHU‘E — A busy start to the summer travel season at Lihu‘e Airport saw more passengers arriving via domestic flights and longer wait times for people leaving the island of Kaua‘i.
The seaside transportation facility posted its strongest month of the year in June, something that has typically happened over the past 10 years in the same six-month period.
A total of 79,247 off-boarded domestic flights in May, compared with 80,648 in May 2023, according to data compiled by the state of Hawai‘i’s Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism. That marked a decrease of 1.73 percent in the period.
The busiest day last month was on Thursday, June 27, when the passenger count measured 3,080. The slowest day last month was on Tuesday, June 25, when the passenger count was 2,152.
The count only includes passengers from direct domestic flights, including Kaua‘i residents returning home, and excludes the thousands of visitors who arrive by inter-island air each month.
That means visitors who arrive from neighboring islands aren’t accounted for in the domestic deplanement total even if their flight originated in the Lower 48, nor are passengers on flights from Canada.
The start of the summer season also prompted the Transportation Security Administration to advise travelers to plan ahead and arrive two hours early given the volume of people on the move at airports.
The Transportation Security Administration said national wait time standards of 10 minutes and under for its PreCheck and 30 minutes and under in screening lanes, will be temporarily exceeded at Lihue Airport during peak travel times.
Peak travel times at the Lihu‘e Airport checkpoint are 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
“The notice is good. We will be here on time, we rather not risk it so we will be here early when we leave,” said Janice Wheeler, who arrived at Lihu‘e Airport with her daughter-in-law, Angela Wheeler, from Salt Lake City on Friday, June 28.
To help prepare travelers, the Transportation Security Administration offered the following tips:
• Review guidelines for traveling with children.
• Be prepared for any scenario.
• Listen to directions provided by Transportation Security Administration officers.
• Pack smart.
• Get assistance with security screening prior to traveling.
• And double-check your luggage.
