Will be flying into Honolulu from Kono via Hawaiian Air and need to transfer to American Airlines terminal for return trip home. Are shuttles available to assist or will we need to get a taxi?

There are shuttle available....

As Shar says, there are free shuttles (WikiWiki shuttle) available.

But it is only a 10 minute stroll or so from one concourse to another. You won't have to leave the secured area if you can check your bags straight through.

Map of terminal. Note that interisland terminal is connected to the main terminal.

http://www6.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/..._Directory.pdf

Taxi is not an option. As above, the wiki wiki shuttle or walking is how you'd do it.

When we flew an interisland flight and were able to check our bags (flying on Continental to NY) in Maui and never saw them again until we arrived in NY. It was great (since we brought back a lot more than what we came with!)It is a short walk from one area to the other. Honolulu Airport is very easy to navigate.

You should be able to check your baggage through to your final destination from Kona. There is a shuttle, or a 10 minute walk.

Do you have to say " final destination "

lol

Are you saying that Hawaiian Air can check our bags to be transferred to American Airlines for our flight back home to the mainland?

Yes, Hawaiian Air can check your bags in for the American Airlines flight, provided that you have your AA flight info. handy. You can confirm this by looking at the tag that HA prints out when you check your luggage, the tag should read: KOA, HNL, (mainland destination airport).

That being said, I can recall one instance when (Hawaiian's or the mainland airline's) computer's were down and they were unable to check the luggage all the way through and we had to recheck the luggage at HNL to the mainland.

John D, Thank you so very much for this information. That solves a big problem for us. Again, many thanks!!!

You're very welcome.

By the way, how was your dining experience(s) in KC (previous post), as we hope to visit there in a few months ?

We ate at Lidia's and were pleased. The atmosphere was wonderful as well as the food. It was such a quick trip but we will definitely return.

Should have added that Lidia's is a northern italian restaurant and she also has a restuarant in New York City. I would definitely return.

Thanks cjml, As it turns out Lidia's is one of the three restaurants we have previously checked out in KC, and BTW, she resides in what we consider the 'hood.

Note to Self, Will revisit recent post describing a variety of BBQ restaurants in KC.

Enjoy your stay in paradise on the Big Isle, HI !

<Do you have to say "final destination">

Of course. Just like the airlines like to announce "We're on final approach."