Waikoloa Air Strip

The closure was primarily due to economic and developmental reasons. The airstrip's original purpose was fulfilled, and the land it occupied became more valuable for the expansion of the Waikoloa Village residential community. As the village grew, having an active runway in the center of a residential area became a safety and noise concern. Furthermore, the development and improvement of nearby airports, specifically Kona International Airport (KOA) and Waimea-Kohala Airport (MUE), made the small private strip redundant for regional air access.

The original paved runway remains remarkably intact and is a prominent feature within Waikoloa Village. It has been repurposed and is now officially part of the local road network, though it is not a major thoroughfare. The wide expanse of the former runway is used by residents as a popular walking, jogging, and bicycling path. The ends of the strip are blocked to through-traffic, effectively turning it into a long, linear park and access road for the homes built alongside it. It is a unique local landmark that hints at the village's origin story.

The Waikoloa Air Strip was a private airfield constructed around 1971 by the Boise Cascade Corporation, the original developer of the Waikoloa Village master-planned community. Its primary and crucial role was to support the development of the village. It was used to fly in corporate executives, prospective land buyers, architects, and engineers, and to transport essential supplies. The airstrip was instrumental in the initial marketing and logistical operations for the community, providing convenient access before the area's infrastructure was fully developed. It primarily handled general aviation aircraft and small corporate or charter flights.

None. There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Waikoloa Air Strip. A reopening is considered completely infeasible due to the dense residential development that now directly borders and surrounds the former runway. The safety, liability, and noise issues associated with operating an airport in the middle of a well-established residential neighborhood would be insurmountable. The land is fully integrated into the community's residential and recreational fabric.