Melvin "Mel" A.'s Profile

Hilo International Airport is a convenient stop for all travelers heading toward the Eastern half of the Big island. The airport is rather large and small at the same time. Large in the fact that it has most of the types of facilities you'd find in even larger airports. Two runways that can handle anything up to a Boeing 747 in size. Yet for the most part, the airport caters mainly to inter-island passenger traffic dominated mostly by Hawaiian Airlines.

As other people may have noted, the airport waiting area is generally pleasant with living room type furniture including couches. There is a small coffee shop like area within the main waiting lounge that offers coffee, donuts, some sandwiches and for me, free wi-fi (with purchase).

Other than that the airport is located conveniently for most East Hawaii residents and visitors. It's only 2 miles away from Hilo's shopping district and not very far away from the Volcanoes National Park. It is also more convenient for Hamakua residents to use Hilo vs. the Kona International Airport on the other side of the island.

I usually wake up each morning to the Rick Hamada show on KHVH, and when I have time I listen to Rush and Sean Hannity. Late nights my radio stays on for George Noory Coast to Coast AM... great stuff with Kim Komando on Sundays.