Can any one recommend a good place to eat dinner somewhat close to the Honolulu airport?

How "close" did you have in mind? Off the top of my head, Wah Kung Chinese Restaurant or Chan's International Buffet; maybe one of the airport hotel restaurants may be more to your liking?
If you have mileage or time estimates, maybe we can come up with more names.

Sam Choy's (the brewery, not the DH restaurant) is located on Nimitz within a few minutes drive of HNL airport.

We will have a 3 hour layover at the airport on the way home. I was hoping to find some place nice to have dinner at, that we could take a cab to perhaps. Thank you for responding!!

A 3 hour layover is a pretty good time but it depends on what day and what time. Rush hour traffic in that area is not fun and would end up keeping you at the airport.

If it's after 7p then I would recommend trying to make it as far as the Aloha Tower. There are many selections to chose from there.

www.alohatower.com

We will have the lay over on a Tuesday about 6-9 pm, was hoping to have a really nice romantic dinner.

Sam Choy's is closer than Aloha Tower, but the atmosphere is not exactly what I would consider romantic. At Aloha Tower, try Chai's Island Bistro. I haven't been there but have heard raves.