About this Location

Facility Overview

Operated by SP+ (SP Plus Corporation), this primary public parking facility serves Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA), located along Uu Street and Keahole Airport Road on the stunning western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Designed as an extensive, open-air surface lot directly facing KOA’s open-air passenger terminals, this facility provides both short-term pick-up/drop-off parking and secure multi-day long-term parking. Because the facility is entirely ground-level with no overhead garage decks or clearance structures, it offers virtually unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it exceptionally accommodating for large rental 4x4 SUVs, lifted pickup trucks, campervans, roof-rack-equipped passenger vans, and light commercial vehicles commonly driven around the island.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly across from Kona International Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 gates, travelers can easily walk to check-in counters and baggage claim within 2 to 5 minutes without needing an airport shuttle. Beyond serving airport passengers, the facility is centrally positioned near key destinations along the North Kona and Kohala coasts:

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport Terminals: Direct walking access (2-5 minutes) to Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines departure pavilions.
Keahole Point & Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park: Approximately 7 minutes south (5 miles) by car, featuring sacred Hawaiian petroglyphs, historic fishponds, and scenic coastal hiking.
Kailua-Kona Downtown & Historic District: Just a 10 to 12-minute drive south along Queen Kaahumanu Highway, granting access to Kailua Pier, Hulihee Palace, and waterfront dining.
Waikoloa Beach Resort & Kohala Coast Resorts: Located roughly 20 to 25 minutes north, making this facility a primary pickup and parking hub for resort guests and returning residents.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the parking lot is straightforward via Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hawaii Route 19), the island’s primary arterial highway. Drivers turn seaward onto Keahole Airport Road and follow clearly posted airport signage directing toward Terminal Parking and Uu Street. The lot features wide, multi-lane entry gates equipped with automated ticket dispensers. Leaving the airport is equally efficient, with multiple exit lanes leading onto the loop road with smooth merges back to Route 19. Public ground transportation via the island-wide Hele-On Bus route stops near the airport terminal, and island rideshare services (Uber and Lyft), local taxi ranks, and hotel shuttles operate immediately adjacent to the lot boundaries.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Surface Spaces: Expansive flat lot accommodating standard vehicles, oversized pickup trucks, and high-clearance island vehicles.
Convenient Automated Payment: Ticketed entry with automated pay stations accepting all major credit/debit cards, contactless mobile pay, and cash.
Accessible ADA Parking: Dedicated handicap-accessible stalls located closest to the terminal crosswalks with curb ramps and tactile paving.
Round-the-Clock Patrols: 24/7 airport security surveillance, active vehicle patrols, and bright illumination throughout the parking field.
Complimentary Grace Period: Short grace period typically offered during the initial 15 minutes for quick curbside passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.

Ideal For

Airline Passengers & Travelers: Perfect for Big Island residents taking inter-island or mainland flights needing dependable long-term vehicle storage.
Passenger Pick-up & Drop-off: Safe and stress-free staging location for island residents meeting arriving visitors without idling on restricted terminal curbs.
Island Business Commuters: Frequent flyers needing quick walk-up convenience to Hawaiian Airlines inter-island shuttle flights.
Visiting Tourists & Rental Car Returns: Convenient overflow and transition parking situated steps from airport car rental service centers.

Visitor & Driver Tips

For smooth transit, take advantage of the 15-minute grace period if you are simply meeting arriving passengers at the curbside baggage claim. During holiday weekends and peak travel seasons (such as the winter holidays and the annual Ironman World Championship), parking demand at KOA spikes considerably; arriving early ensures you secure a convenient spot close to the terminal pavilions. Always keep your parking ticket out of direct Hawaiian sunlight on your dashboard to avoid thermal paper fading, or pay at the terminal kiosks before returning to your vehicle to breeze through the automated exit gates.