New free airport wayfinding app enhances passenger experience at Līhuʻe Airport

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation launched a pair of free airport wayfinding smartphone apps — including one for a Kaua‘i airport — designed to make the airport experience less stressful and more enjoyable for travelers.

The LIH Airport app for Lῑhuʻe Airport offers travelers a new mobility tool to navigate the airport terminal and includes a link to the airport’s flight information and airport website, which also features information about other airport services and guidance.

It’s sister app — HNL Airport — does the same for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

The apps use blue dot wayfinding technology, similar to blue circles on online navigation maps such as Google Maps or Apple Maps. A pulsing blue dot estimates the user’s physical location on the airport map to assist in navigating through the terminals.

Users will be able to search for their points of interest and navigate their way throughout the airport.

Searchable areas include:

• Check-in.
• Baggage claim.
• Agricultural inspection stations.
• Security checkpoints.
• Departure gates.
• Food and beverage options.
• Retail shops.
• Lounges.
• Restrooms.
• Ground transportation.

HNL Airport has an added — and much-awaited — online parking count feature. The estimated available parking counts can be found on the homepage and accessed via the app’s Airport Information link.

Estimated available parking counts are refreshed every 10 minutes per parking structure.

Light-emitting diode, or LED, display signs showing the number of available stalls have been displayed at the entrance to the Honolulu airport’s three parking structures since 2022.

Now, through the HNL Airport app, travelers can view this information before they arrive at the airport.

Future app enhancements will include adding the location of the Skyline Lelepaua station, which opens later this year. An app for Kahului Airport on Maui also is being planned.

The LIH and HNL apps can be downloaded for free from Google Play and Apple Store.