As the holiday season kicks into high gear, state leaders are keen on making sure that Hawai‘i's airports are not just destinations but gateways streamlined by the touch of technology. According to a recent update from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, several tech advancements have been put in place to ease the burden of holiday travel for residents, including the now fully digital Akamai Arrival agriculture declaration form.
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who led the Akamai Arrival initiative, said, "Modernizing our systems is about making life easier for our residents while strengthening the protections." Returning residents can now pre-fill the form on a smartphone or laptop up to five days before travel, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.
In addition to Akamai Arrival, travelers can use new wayfinding apps to navigate Hawai‘i's airports and access flight updates, shops, and eateries. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation plans to launch apps for Maui and Hawai‘i Island airports in the coming months, with Kahului Airport and Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keāhole going live early next year.
Travelers departing from Honolulu and Kona airports can check updated parking availability, refreshed every 10 minutes, on the HNL and KOA websites, respectively. With security checkpoint renovations expected by late 2026, convenience for passengers is set to improve.
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation advises travelers to verify flight status, carry a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, allow extra time for check-in and security, and consider alternatives to airport parking, such as drop-offs or O‘ahu's Skyline rail service. They also remind passengers of the family-friendly TSA lane at Terminal 2.
