Island travelers flying in and out of Hawai‘i are about to experience a significant upgrade in convenience when it comes to airport parking. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has introduced a new, ticketless parking system at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) that aims to smoothly revamp the current process of entering and exiting airport parking lots. This new partnership with Metropolis, an artificial intelligence parking technology company, is designed to simplify and expedite the parking experience for drivers, news which comes directly from HDOT's announcement.
The outset of the new system enables drivers to sign up by downloading the Metropolis app or visiting their website, making it easier than ever to literally just drive in and drive out of KOA and ITO. This innovation removes the need for physical tickets, automatically charging the registered payment method. Despite the high-tech upgrade, parking rates at both airports remain unchanged. And beginning in March, passengers will even have the option to reserve parking in advance. HDOT Director Ed Sniffen shared, "The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is committed to delivering a smooth, stress-free travel experience at our airports." This sentiment underscores their mission as relayed in the HDOT's statement.
For drivers uneasy about new technology, there’s no need to worry. Those who don’t want to use the app can still enter by taking a ticket and pay with cash or card when they exit. The hybrid system is designed to make airport parking accessible and efficient for all users, regardless of their comfort with technology.
KOA and ITO join a select group of nine airports nationwide to deploy Metropolis' innovative parking solution, after its debut last year. Bringing it to Hawai‘i is especially poignant for Courtney Fukuda, chief integration officer at Metropolis, who hails from the islands herself. “As someone born and raised in Hawai‘i, I’m proud to help bring our advanced technology to travelers who value speed, ease and simplicity. Together, we’re reshaping the start of the journey for both residents and visitors, reducing friction and maximizing convenience from the moment they arrive. Whether welcoming guests to our islands or helping locals move through their day, our goal is to make everyday transactions effortless with 40-plus Metropolis locations in Hawai‘i and growing,” she explained, articulating a personal connection to the project in her statement to HDOT. Seemingly, Metropolis is committed to quite literally drive forward the parking tech industry with a presence in over 40 locations in Hawai‘i alone.
