Yes, you can smoke at Honolulu International Airport (HNL), but only in the marked outdoor designated areas — roadway medians, upper parking garage floors, and uncovered lots outside Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The terminals themselves are smoke-free under Hawaii’s “cabin to curb” law, so there is no smoking inside or on covered walkways.
Where to Smoke at HNL
Smoking is permitted only in the designated outdoor areas the airport marks at each terminal. Per the Hawaii Airports System, the spots are:
Terminal 2:
- Ground level — Diamond Head group tour area (uncovered)
- 2nd level — roadway median fronting the ticket lobbies
- Parking garage 5th floor (outside the 20-foot buffer zones around entryways and landings)
- Uncovered parking lots
Terminal 1:
- Ground level — next to Pre-Arranged 1, between Terminal 1 and the International Arrivals Building
- Parking garage 7th floor (outside the 20-foot buffer zones around entryways and landings)
Terminal 3:
- Public parking lot against the fence, as marked
In every spot you must stay at least 20 feet from any doorway, window, or ventilation duct.
Cabin-to-Curb Inside the Terminals
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 328J prohibits smoking in enclosed and semi-enclosed public places, and the airport applies a “cabin to curb” rule inside Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The open-air design might look like you could smoke on the walkways between gates, but smoking there is prohibited — head to a marked outdoor designated area instead.
After Security
All designated areas are landside and outside the terminals. If you have already cleared the checkpoint, you will need to exit, walk to a designated area, and then re-clear TSA security before your flight. Allow extra time so a smoke break does not put your boarding at risk.
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.