I have a few questions for those who are familiar with Lihue airport. I realize that it is a relatively small airport, but does it tend to have any especially busy times? For example- would it tend to busier for a 2pm flight or a 10:45pm?
Also, how is the signage? Is the rental car return relatively easy to find in dark?
Do you find that it is a quick airport to get in and out of (as far as baggage claim, car pick ups/returns, checking luggage etc)? Thanks

Lihue is very small and easy to navigate. Signage is quite easy to follow as well. It will busier for a 2pm flight almost always (unless you happen to have a night flight on a friday or sunday night when locals might be flying in or out). As far as being a quick airport, I would not say that anything in Kauai is "quick" but it is not bad as you don't have the crowd problems that you have in the US airports. The car rental huts are right across the street but then you generally take a shuttle to get your car so that may take a bit of time. Also, remember that when you return to the airport, there is an agricultural inspection that takes a bit of time prior to the general security check. We've gotten our car within 25 minutes in some cases but it's taken 45 minutes to an hour in others. Check-in lines tend to be pretty short but take longer than normal IMO because some of the vacationers have so much luggage to check!

"you don't have the crowd problems that you have in the US airports"

um, Lihue IS a US airport. (Sorry, I couldn't resist).

ncjo is correct. if you're coming in with someone, have them pick up the car while you wait with the luggage. that way you're not hauling everything across the street. just a suggestion. as far as "quick" goes? that's a good one.

Well, I can tell you we landed at about 2 PM'ish and the place was virtually empty. There was (1) plane getting ready to leave the gate and then we pulled in...that was it for the whole airport.

We took a red-eye out (left at 9:30 PM) and the BAGGAGE process was tiny bit time consuming (I guess they still have to check everything by hand theer) but not too bad.

I always take the red-eye home from Hawaii. I feel like I'm getting an extra day by staying so late...plus I have to be REALLY tired to sleep on a plane so the red-eye helps.

I don't wanna say it's small but the control tower is an old lifeguard platform with a guy using some old movie theater flashlights.

Try this and page down to the airport layout. www.driveguidemagazines.com/kauai_airport.html

Just remember, if you miss the one lane that takes you out of the airport, don't slam on your brakes...you can always come around again.

Kal,

Reason #136 not to visit Kaua`i: The airport sucks.

-Bill

Am I getting better?