Kahului International Airport (OGG)

Common Complaints

• Rude and Unhelpful Staff: Many reviews highlight experiences with rude, obnoxious, and condescending TSA and airport staff, particularly during security checks.
• Long Walks and Outdated Design: The airport's layout is often criticized for being unwieldy and requiring long walks between check-in, security, and gates, with very few moving sidewalks. Prior to recent renovations, much of the airport was open-air, leading to discomfort from ambient temperatures.
• Security Wait Times (without PreCheck): Standard security lines can be extremely long and disorganized, with reports of wait times up to 2 hours or more, particularly during peak hours. Baggage screening delays have also been noted, advising travelers with checked luggage to arrive 1.5 hours early. A major $46 million TSA checkpoint upgrade project began in May 2025 to add more lanes and improve efficiency.
• Limited Food and Amenities: Food options are described as very limited, especially after security, with many establishments closing early. The single Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club lounge is frequently noted as small, basic, and offering minimal amenities beyond drinks and small snacks.
• Baggage Claim Delays: Arriving passengers have reported significant wait times for luggage at baggage claim, sometimes exceeding an hour, with chaotic conditions and incomplete deliveries.

Overall, Kahului International Airport is undergoing improvements, with the new passenger waiting area being a notable recent enhancement. However, many core issues, particularly concerning staff demeanor and general efficiency (especially for those without expedited security programs), persist. Travelers are strongly advised to consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR+ and allow ample time for all airport processes, especially during peak travel periods.