Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport (HNL/PHNL – Hickam Air Base in the northwest of this field runs with HIK/PHIK to be exact) is the gateway to the Hawaiian islands and especially handles a lot of Asian and Australian services so rather the intercontinental hub for Hawaii. Having said that it is therefore not the only destination on the island group for US-flights. But therefore HNL has also many services within the island group to Lihue, Big Island, Maui or other ones: passenger and cargo services.

Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye Airport‘s former name was Honolulu Intl Airport, but was always located 5km west of Oahu‘s capital‘s city centre where it was opened in 1927. This airport is very important in many ways: Cargo, Military and Passenger. Also very interesting and good is the fact that Boeing mostly uses Honolulu as stop and refuel station for their B737s being delivered to Asia. That’s why you will always be able to see some nice and brandnew Boeing aircraft enroute west.m All in all HNL airport handles 20 million passenger per year, 531.000 tons per year and several military trainings in addition to all the military transports, fighters and bombers passing thru the airport.

Sadly, spotting is everything else then easy and the number of good locations is limited because of the geographical location. The southernmost runway 08R/26L is almost completly sourrunded by water and at the western end there is the huge Hickam Air Force Base, which is a part of the airport as they share the runways. The military flights (mainly F-22, KC-135 and C-17) are of course a nice side effect.

Written by Severin Hackenberger in cooperation with Martin Rogosz, Niclas Karich and M. Najberg. Last Update: June 2025, Spot 1+7 updated

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
04R/22L	2743m x 46m – Asphalt
04L/22R	2119m x 46m – Asphalt
08R/26L	3658m x 61m – Asphalt
08L/26R	3749m x 46m – Asphalt
08W/26W	1524m – Water
04W/22W	914m – Water
Terminals
The airport has one terminal serving all traffic, which is divided into several parts and arms.	Gates 6-23: all carriers and all various routes Gates 24-61: Hawaiian and daughter carrier(US mainland, islandhoppers and international routes)
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed and recommended.
Car/Public Transport	Highly recommended as spots quite far seperated and public transport quite poor.
Restrooms	Around the airport only in the hotels/shopping centres.
Drinks/Food	Around the airport only in the hotels/shopping centres.
Hotels	The uppermost floors of the Best Western right next to the terminal offering a perfect view on the apron. Different hotels are located around the airport and many more in the city or along the beaches around here.
Season	Best during the winter as the weather is more stable and comfortable – in addition the light is nicer. During the week you will have USAF flights depart each morning with a wave of fighters almost every weekday around 9am.
Security	Spotting in the United States is not always tolerated. There have been several reports from fellow spotters that they were checked by police. Especially in the area west of HNL airport, police is very present due to the close military base. Please be also aware, that the police is quite strict in terms of road safety. If you are standing roadside to take photos, police may ask you to leave as you can be considered a distraction for motorists. Some citizens and police officers may react rude to our hobby as they suspect terrorism when photos of airplanes are taken, so we already had reports that inhabitants threated us to call the police if we wouldn‘t leave. Always remain calm and polite and stay in your car when a police officer has stopped you to check on you. Do not leave your car unless you are told to do so!The spots described in this guide are believed to be safe but check the MISC box for further info. Spotterguide.net is not liable for any misbehavior towards the police!You may be subject to questioning, or an identification check by either deputies from the Hawai‘i State Sheriff’s Department (the governing law enforcement agency of HNL), or by airport police officers from Securitas, the private security firm that also guards HNL, especially if they see you with any kind of camera in any locations offering views onto airplanes – especially if you are able to see parts of the military base from there.
Runway Usage
General	Very typical and common Usage is the following: widebodies and most passenger aircraft will land on runway 26L, the general aviation  and some freighters (especially Asia Pacific) will land on 04R — almost everything will depart from runway 26R. But note, that almost all military aircraft and freighters flying on behalf of USAF (Atlas Air, Kalitta or ATI) never take runway 04R for landings though as the base is closer to runway 26L.For the freighters (everything but 747s, they mostly take 08L) we observed following pattern (with a couple of exceptions): if they come from south of HNL, meaning everywhere but Lihue, they’ll usually go for 04R, but arrivals from Lihue typically go to 08L.

Lagoon Drive - 08R/26 movements + nearby taxiways and ramp + 04L/R Arrivals

WHERE	The most famous spotting location in Honolulu is located just at the southern end of the Lagoon Drive. If you start at the northern end of the Lagoon Drive, where the street crossed the Queen Liliuokalani Freeway, you have to follow the road into south-western direction for about 4km. After you passed a lot of hangars and halls, you should see a stored (former Aloha) Maddog on your right. 400m after this point you’ll enter a parking space. Park your car somewhere at the official lot. Update June 2025: the airport fence was raised at this point and it is no longer allowed by security to stay directly at the fence! The concrete blocks in front of the fence are now useless. The only option is to use a truck/SUV/car roof to clear the fence from the parking lot.
WHAT	All activities on Runway 08R/26L plus you can try to shoot the taxiing aircraft through/over the fence with live mode. Arrivals onto runway 04R and 04L can be seen from here, too. Due the new fence it became more tricky though
TIME	The times of light/backlit is very difficult to discribe here, because in the summer months the sun climbs to the northern side! Light on runway 08R/26L is only okay from Mid-March till September and in these months in the early morning hours or the late evening hours. In June it’s much more different! Light on runway 04R/L is okay from sunrise till 4:30pm in the winter months and in the summer months from sunrise till 1pm. In June it’s different! For aircraft taxiing to runway 08R for departure (like the MD11 or B732 on my example pictures) the light will be okay from sunrise till around 9am in the winter and in the summer till around 11:45am. In June it’s different!
MISC.	Nothing nearby, no shops/restrooms. If it’s sunny, sunscreen may be necessary – the sun is very strong there! As the fence was raised, the concrete blocks are too low/small now: you now either need a ladder or stand on your car. Heat haze is a big problem here on the runway during the day.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm B733 runway 04R arrival = 225mm / Runway 26L B788 departure = 130mm / MD11 taxiing infront = 50mm

Palekona street - Business apron

WHERE	Shortly before you reach Lagoon Drive’s end, you get to a four way crossing, where the mentioned Drive meets “Palekona street”. Tunr right there, take this street till its end, make a slight right turn and exit the street immediately to the left onto a dirty parking area. Park your car there and search your favourite position there – either on the car’s top or at the fence directly.
WHAT	Aircraft parked infront on the business area or also the ones parking on the close sports/GA apron. If there is some free space infront, you also have great view onto 04R/22L and 04L/22L runways.
TIME	Aircraft parked on the cargo apron infront, taxiing along the area here or the ones on runway 04R/22L and 04L/22R.
MISC.	Ladder not 100% needed as you can also shot thru the fence wholes or over the fence when standing on your car’s top. But be sure to stay away far enough from the fence. You can also try to stand on the top of the two boxes next to the parking here, maybe standing on them also works – never tried yet. Nothing around here apart from this. Heat haze is a big problem here on the runway during the day.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm B737 BBJ = 25mm / Gulfstream = 35mm / B732 on runway = 185mm

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Iako Pl - Cargo Apron

WHERE	This spot is located at the end of “Iako Pl”, which can be entered from Lagoon Drive easily. Once entered first mentioned street, just drive till its end and stop with your car in the turning pad where you can search your favourite position.
WHAT	Aircraft parked on the cargo apron infront, taxiing along the area here or the ones on runway 04R/22L and 04L/22R.
TIME	Winter: Sunrise till late midday. / Summer: Sunrise is the best, sun rises high afterwards. After late morning the light is bad from here.
MISC.	Ladder not 100% needed as you can also shot thru the fence wholes or over the fence when standing on your car’s top. But be sure to stay away far enough from the fence. Nothing around here.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm B732 on runway = 180mm / total B727 = 40mm

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Makani Kai Air - Apron + 04L/22R and 04R/22L movements

WHERE	From Lagoon Drive take the exit into “Kaulele Pl” and drive till its end all the way up. Now you’ll end up at Makani Kai Air and Blue Hawaiian Helicopter facilities, where you can search a nice fence part in between from where you can spot. This parking area offers views into several directions, so your position can vary and the spot is no exact location… You can also move to the next parking area across the taxiway once… Simply the whole area around here at the fence simply!
WHAT	Transair apron featuring Shorts, B732s and other freighters. In addition you are also able to spot sports/helicopter aprons used by Makani Kai Air and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters for example. Here you can also often see aircraft being parked while being ferried out of Boeing’s factory in Seattle to Asia etc. But you can also see 04R/22L and 04L/22R runways from here, so also those movements are spotable.
TIME	Depending on the angle an aircraft is parked in but roughly like these times now: Winter: Sunrise till late midday. / Summer: Sunrise is the best, sun rises high afterwards. After late morning the light is bad from here.
MISC.	Ladder not 100% needed as you can also shot thru the fence wholes or over the fence when standing on your car’s top. But be sure to stay away far enough from the fence. Nothing around here.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-400mm Cessna 208 = 100mm / B38M directly in front = 24mm

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Helicopter/Transair - Transair apron

WHERE	This spot is neither an exact location rather the area along the fence around Magnum Helicopters and Transair apron. That’s why this spot can be found along Lagoon Drive and Iolana Pl as well.
WHAT	Transair and Magnum Helicopters apron featuring also some other aircraft sometimes (as a Dc3 for example).
TIME	Depending on the angle an aircraft is parked in but roughly like these times now: Winter: Sunrise till late midday. / Summer: Sunrise is the best, sun rises high afterwards. After late morning the light is bad from here.
MISC.	Ladder not 100% needed as you can also shot thru the fence wholes or over the fence when standing on your car’s top. But be sure to stay away far enough from the fence. But sometimes a ladder is way better due to all the ground stuff parked here to get over them. Nothing around here.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-200mm B732 = 30mm / Short 360 = 100mm

In addition to THIS nice freighter (meant in “WHAT” above) also those objects:

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Eastern side:

Southern side:

Terminal Connection bridges - Ramps

WHERE	This spot can be found airside after you passed the security check. Then search your favourite connection bridge which mostly connect the main terminal with longhaul handling gates. While being on the way to those gates then you will pass some parts between those facilities where you will have a free view as there are no glasses along the walk.
WHAT	Parts of the apron, depending where exactly you are.
TIME	Totally depending on the exact bridge part and time of year, but mostly morning or evening are best. In addition summer is better than winter for spotting from here as the sun is not on he southern side.
MISC.	This spot is located airside, so after security check and can only be reached with valid boarding pass. Everything you need is close by inside the terminal. Heat haze can be a problem, especially around running APUs.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm: totally depending on what (close-up, total, …) B772 = 110mm

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Parking garage - Ramp + 08L/26R movements

WHERE	This spot can be found all around the uper levels of the two parking garages located at the western end of all the facilities (like rental cars or other parking areas) north of the main terminal. Just enter it, go up to the upper floors and search your favourite position along the edge either in the international garage (eastern one: more for runway and intl ramp) or domestic garage (western one: for the taxiway and ramp to the domestic terminal).
WHAT	Great overview form here: general aviation ramp to the cargo area to the terminal to the military area. In addition also runway 08L/26R activities. Other runways are far away, but can also be seen!
TIME	Only useable in summer, but then almost all day. Best in the early morning hours though.
MISC.	Keep a low profile with your camera here as military area is close and spotable. Can be an advance and disadvance here… All other stuff you may need can be found inside the nearby terminal. Heat haze is a big problem!! We recommend to get in touch with the airport prior spotting from here in order to let them know that you will come here and that you are no threat.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-600mm A380 on ramp = 150mm / B788 on runway = 350mm

Domestic Garage in the west:

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Intl Garage in the east:

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Elliott St - NW Ramp

WHERE	This spot is just located along Elliott street, which runs along the western side of the northwestern ramp of the civil part at HNL. It can be reached well from the bigger N Nimitz Hwy which bumps into Elliott St just north of this spot. Once you got here, just quickly stop with the car by the roadside, take your picture and leave again to avoid problems as spotting here is actually not tolerated. +++ DEC 2020: Spot is only limited useable now due to construction works on the airside part so your view is blocked+++
WHAT	All aircraft moving and parking on the northwestern civil ramp at HNL.
TIME	Depends on how the aircraft stands/moves and the time of the year you come here. But actually afternoon is best.
MISC.	Heat haze may become a problem in summer on long distance shots. KEEP A LOW PROFILE! Just stop here quickly, take your picture and leave again! The police arrives quickly and will sent you away otherwise! Do not cause any issues here!
FOCAL LENGTH	18-100mm

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Carpark - 08L Arrivals

WHERE	This spot can be found west of the military areas and is located exactly inside the parking area of a little shopping centre. This can be found at the crossing of “Fort Weaver road”/road “76” and road “764”. Just park your car here and enjoy… Spot is also close to several bus stops, but we don’t know if those are still in use – weren’t this once we’ve been there.
WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 08L.
TIME	Only useable in summer, but then almost all day except around noon.
MISC.	Heat haze can become a problem, but therefore you can find shadow, food, drinks and restrooms in the shopping facilities nearby. KEEP A LOW PROFILE! Some people were interested in our hobby and impressed, others threatened us to call the police if we don’t get away!
FOCAL LENGTH	300-500mm B744 = 315mm

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Tsunami Center - 08L Arrivals

WHERE	Not pretty sure, if the position used for the shots is really here, but probably as distance would fit and you have some free space here. So we guess (as the photographer of the example below doesn’t reply) the location used was around the “Pacific Tsunami Warning Center”, which can be found almost at the southern coast of this landscape here. Exact position is north of “Fort Weaver road” in a forest – easy to reach and see. Also some bus stops around here, so also reachable by public transport.
WHAT	Arrivals onto runway 08L.
TIME	In winter all day, in summer just not useable with nice light.
MISC.	Nothing around, but therefore parking is easy. Restrooms can probably be found inside the center facilities.
FOCAL LENGTH	XXX – but probably 200-400mm

As we didn’t visit this spot ourselves yet, we can only link Andrew Hunt’s material. He made some nice pictures roughly here – THIS picture can be seen as example regarding angle/view.