Honolulu Gateway
Every Oʻahu trip starts at Honolulu’s airport, and so do the flights to Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island. This is the logistics page for the arrival night: where to sleep, where to eat, who drives, how the inter-island airlines work, and how to get a board to the right island.
Getting There
Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) is Hawaiʻi’s main airport, about 9 to 10 miles from Waikīkī, with nonstop flights from the US mainland, Asia and the Pacific (reported). It is the arrival point for all three Oʻahu zones and the hub for flights to the other islands. Honolulu is the airport, not a surf town: most trips begin with a night near Waikīkī before heading to the North Shore or on to another island.
Hawaiʻi is part of the United States, so entry is US entry: international visitors need an ESTA or a visa as for any US port, and US citizens need no documents beyond airline ID. Details are in the Visa & Documents section of the Hawaiʻi page.
Getting Out of the Airport
- Shared or private shuttle: the easy option with a board bag; book a van and tell the operator about the bag. Waikīkī is typically 20 to 30 minutes.
- Rental car: most rental counters are a short shuttle from the terminal. Roof racks and soft racks are an extra, so ask when you book. The North Shore and West Side need a car or a transfer.
- Ride-hail or taxi: flexible, but confirm the vehicle takes a board bag.
- TheBus: cheap and runs to Waikīkī, but its rules list soft boogie boards only; do not count on carrying a board.
The Airlines to the Other Islands
- Hawaiian (Alaska Air Group): reported at roughly 170 daily flights among Honolulu, Kahului on Maui, Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, and Līhuʻe on Kauaʻi, mostly on Boeing 717 jets.
- Southwest: reported flying the same five main airports nonstop, with fewer seats in 2026 than before; one source cites about a 30 percent cut, so check the current schedule.
- Mokulele Airlines: a small commuter airline flying Cessna Caravans and some Saab turboprops, reported as the only scheduled carrier to Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi (Kalaupapa and Hoʻolehua). It had grounded flights for maintenance in January 2025, so keep a spare day and confirm your flight with the airline.
Pick your onward island from the Hawaiʻi page: Maui North, Maui South, Maui West, Kauaʻi North, Kauaʻi South & West, Kona-Kohala and Hilo & Volcano. See Hawaiʻi Getting There for the statewide view.
Small-Airline Counter
- Mokulele Airlines (Terminal 3)Daniel K. Inouye International Airport The small commuter airline’s Honolulu counter, for Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. Reviews are mixed, so allow slack for delays. About 2 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.2 from about 360 reviews. Google Maps listing
Stays
Independent Lodging by the Airport
- Pacific Marina InnWaiwai Loop, by the airport Independent inn on the airport side of town for a late landing or an early inter-island flight, with a large review count. Rating is modest, so read recent reviews. About 3 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 3.3 from about 1,300 reviews. Google Maps listing
The airport hotels near the terminals are mostly chains; this is the independent one that came up operating.
Hostels & Independent Hotels in Waikīkī
- Waikiki Beachside HostelLemon Rd, Waikīkī Hostel a few steps from the Waikīkī sand, with over 2,300 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.4 from about 2,300 reviews. Google Maps listing
- The Beach Waikiki Hostel by ALOHCartwright Rd, Waikīkī Small-operator hostel near the beach with nearly 1,900 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 1,900 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Honu Waikiki by ALOHDudoit Ln, Ala Moana side Small hostel with a very high rating from over 1,000 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 1,000 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Polynesian Hostel Beach ClubLemon Rd, Waikīkī Beach-side hostel with private rooms and dorms. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.1 from about 720 reviews. Google Maps listing
- White Sands HotelNohonani St, Waikīkī Independent mid-size hotel one block off the main strip. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 3.8 from about 990 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Hotel La CroixKalākaua Ave, Waikīkī Independent hotel on the main avenue with nearly 2,800 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4 from about 2,800 reviews. Google Maps listing
Waikīkī’s big resort hotels are chains and are left out here; these are the small operators and independents.
Where to Eat
Plate Lunch & Local Hawaiian Food
- Rainbow Drive-InKanaina Ave, Kapahulu Plate-lunch institution with over 8,000 reviews. About 2 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from about 8,100 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Da Ono Hawaiian FoodKapahulu Ave Local Hawaiian food plates, with over 1,000 reviews. About 2 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.4 from about 1,000 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Liliha Drive InnLiliha St Old-school Hawaiian diner on the Honolulu side of the Pali road. About 6 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 420 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Highway Inn KakaʻakoAla Moana Blvd, Kakaʻako Hawaiian restaurant serving traditional plates, with nearly 2,800 reviews. About 1 km from Kakaʻako in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 2,800 reviews. Google Maps listing
The plate lunch of rice, macaroni salad and a protein is Hawaiʻi’s everyday meal.
Poke
- Poke Fix HawaiiSeaside Ave, Waikīkī Poke counter a walk from the hostels, with over 1,000 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 1,000 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Aliʻi Fish MarketSouth King St Fish market and poke counter with a very high rating. About 2 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 160 reviews. Google Maps listing
Breakfast
- Sweet E’s CaféKapahulu Ave Breakfast spot with over 3,000 reviews. About 2 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 3,400 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Aloha Bakehouse & CafeWaimanu St, Kakaʻako Bakery and cafe; a good pre-flight breakfast. About 1 km from Kakaʻako in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.6 from about 170 reviews. Google Maps listing
Transport Companies
Airport Transfers & Shuttles
- Hawaii Super TransitGulick Ave, Kalihi Airport and island transfers with over 2,200 reviews. About 5 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 2,200 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Island Express ShuttleS King St Shared and private shuttles with a high rating from 500 reviews. About 11 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 500 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Hele Hele TransportationLawehana St, by the airport Airport shuttle company based near the terminals. About 4 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 280 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Paradise Hawaii ToursQueen St, Honolulu Private airport transfers; ask for a van that takes a board bag. About 8 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from about 690 reviews. Google Maps listing
Tell the operator about the board bag when you book; vans take bags more reliably than cars.
Local Car Rental
- Sky Road Rent A CarKalākaua Ave, Waikīkī Local car rental with several Waikīkī counters and a very large review count; ask about board racks. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 6,800 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Island Car RentalAla Moana Blvd Local car rental, a short ride from Waikīkī. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 380 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Cabin Fever HawaiiLauniu St, Waikīkī Small rental outfit with a perfect rating. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from 85 reviews. Google Maps listing
National chains are left out. Ask any rental company about racks and sand policy.
Board & Luggage Storage
We found no storage listing that confirms it takes a full board bag. Ask your hostel or hotel first, then call a storage counter before you carry a board to it.
Luggage Storage
- Nalu StorageKalākaua Ave, Waikīkī Storage near the main strip; ask whether a board bag fits before you hand it over. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.3 from 29 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Waikiki Baggage and Luggage StorageʻŌhua Ave, Waikīkī Luggage storage with a strong rating; board-bag size unconfirmed. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.7 from about 110 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Your Connection HawaiiKaʻiulani Ave, Waikīkī Storage counter on the way to the beach, with a strong rating. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from 64 reviews. Google Maps listing
Surf Shops & Board Repair
- Moku Surf Shop HawaiiKoa Ave, Waikīkī Surf shop in the middle of Waikīkī with 850 reviews. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.5 from about 850 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Quality Surfboards HawaiiAla Moana Blvd Surfboard shop with 315 reviews and a high rating. About 1 km from central Waikīkī in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.8 from about 320 reviews. Google Maps listing
- The Ding Kingdom Surfboard RepairWaimanu St, Kakaʻako Dedicated board repair in town. About 1 km from Kakaʻako in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.4 from 31 reviews. Google Maps listing
- DingDocs Surfboard RepairAlahao Pl, Sand Island area Board repair in the airport-side industrial area; few reviews but a high rating. About 4 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 4.9 from 20 reviews. Google Maps listing
- Minami SurfboardsN King St Surfboard maker and shop with a perfect rating from 71 reviews. About 5 km from the airport in a straight line. Unverified. Google rating 5 from 71 reviews. Google Maps listing
A few repair benches sit in the airport-side industrial area, handy before a flight.
Getting Out to the Zones
Oʻahu: Honolulu, Waikīkī & Windward (20 to 30 minutes from the airport), North Shore and West Side by car or transfer. Other islands: by inter-island flight from this airport, as above.
Questions People Actually Ask.
Which airport do I fly into for Oʻahu?
Daniel K. Inouye International (HNL) in Honolulu. It serves all three Oʻahu zones on this site; the North Shore and West Side have no airport of their own, so you land at HNL and drive. Nearly every flight to the other islands also leaves from here.
How far is the airport from Waikīkī?
About 9 to 10 miles, typically 20 to 30 minutes by car on the H-1 freeway. The North Shore is a longer drive of an hour or more on two-lane roads, so plan for it if you land late.
Can I take my board on the inter-island flights?
Hawaiian and Alaska reported changing their policy in late 2025 to accept surfboard bags up to 10 feet 5 inches and 50 pounds, with no special surfboard fee, and a 9 feet 7 inch limit on their smaller regional jets. Inter-island flights fly smaller aircraft, so confirm the limits with the airline for your exact flight. Mokulele’s small turboprops have tighter space; ask before you book.
Which airlines fly between the islands?
Hawaiian (now part of Alaska Air Group) and Southwest fly jets between Honolulu and Maui, Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, and Kauaʻi. Mokulele, a small commuter airline, is reported as the only scheduled carrier to Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi. Schedules change, so confirm on the airline’s own site.
Can I take TheBus with a board?
The bus rules we found list soft boogie boards up to 48 inches and say nothing about surfboards. Plan on a shuttle, a rental car or a ride-hail for a board bag, and ask the driver first.
Disclosure & How This Page Works.
Straight talk: Some links on this site are affiliate links — if you book through them, Secrets of Surf Travel earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link places and people we’d use ourselves, and coverage is never for sale. Nothing on this page is an affiliate link today; every listing link is a plain courtesy link.
Every listing was researched in 2026 and has not yet been verified in person. Prices, hours, and policies change; treat them as strong starting points and confirm directly with the business. And per the No-Reveal Code: you will find no surf spots on this page, ever.