Travelers flying through Hawaii just got a digital upgrade. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has released two new apps aiming to simplify navigation for passengers at Honolulu and Līhuʻe Airports. These apps, detailed in a recent announcement, use blue-dot wayfinding to help visitors pinpoint their location within the terminals and assist them in finding various points of interest including gates, shops, and more.
For those heading to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the HNL Airport app includes a function allowing travelers to search for their gate, baggage claim, or even the nearest coffee spot. A pulsing blue dot, akin to what you'd find on Google or Apple Maps, helps to chart your course through the expansive terminal. While maneuvering through the airport with a piece of luggage in tow, travelers can also now check available parking spots in real-time, a feature integrated into the app. This online parking count refreshes every 10 minutes, so users get an up-to-date snapshot of where they can stow their car.
Those flying in or out of Līhuʻe Airport aren't left behind, thanks to the LIH Airport app, which similarly helps in navigating the premises. These technological aids serve as a significant upgrade from paper maps and static signage, ideally reducing the number of passengers walking around, bewildered, in search of their flight or the nearest restroom.
Anticipating future needs, HDOT isn't stopping with these initial rollouts. An app for Kahului Airport (OGG) is in the pipeline, and the HNL app is set to include the Skyline Lelepaua station location, slated to open later this year. This addition will undoubtedly provide an even more connected experience for travelers navigating the airport and its transport links. In an era where convenience is king, the ability to pre-plan your parking spot before even arriving at your terminal seems like the sort of customer service that can bring a bit of calm to the chaos of travel.
Both the HNL and LIH Airport apps are available for download, free of charge, from Google Play and the Apple Store.
