Yes, you can smoke at Kona International Airport (KOA) in the uncovered parking lots, as long as you stay at least 20 feet from any doorway, window or ventilation duct. The terminal and its open-air walkways are smoke-free “cabin to curb” under Hawaii Revised Statutes 328J.
How Kona Airport Is Laid Out
KOA, the Big Island’s third-busiest airport (around 4 million passengers a year), is unusual among US airports for its open-air design — low tropical pavilions with naturally ventilated walkways rather than fully enclosed, air-conditioned concourses. Gates are split across Terminal 1 (gates 1–5) and Terminal 2 (gates 6–10), with a separate commuter facility; that is roughly ten commercial gates in total. KOA is also the last major Hawaii airport where many flights still board from mobile stairs across the apron instead of jet bridges.
The carrier mix is broad: Hawaiian Airlines on the interisland hops, mainland nonstops on Alaska, United, American, Southwest and Hawaiian (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Portland and more), plus seasonal international service from Air Canada (Vancouver) and Japan Airlines (Tokyo). None of that changes the smoking picture — the open-air walkways are still smoke-free, and only the uncovered parking lots are open to smokers.
Where You Can Smoke at Kona Airport
The Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division allows smoking at KOA in the uncovered parking lots only, keeping clear of the 20-foot buffer around any building opening. The policy covers cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vapes, heat-not-burn products), all under the same outdoor-only rule.
Because KOA’s terminal is largely open-air — pavilion-style buildings with no enclosed concourses for most gates — the open feel can be misleading. It does not extend the smoking area: you cannot light up under the pavilion roofs or on the open-air walkways. The uncovered parking lots are the one permitted spot.
What Smokers Should Plan For
- Connecting through KOA: there is no airside smoking, so you would need to exit and re-screen to reach the parking lots.
- Arrivals: the uncovered parking lots are a short step from the open-air terminal once you keep clear of the 20-foot buffer.
- Departures: smoke before clearing security, since there is no option past the checkpoint.
E-Cigarettes and Vaping
Hawaii state law defines “smoking” to include electronic smoking devices, so e-cigarettes, vapes and heat-not-burn products follow the exact same rule as cigarettes at KOA: uncovered parking lots only, at least 20 feet from any doorway, window or vent. There is no vaping under the pavilion roofs, on the open-air walkways, or anywhere airside.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open-air terminal & walkways | No | Smoke-free “cabin to curb,” includes vaping |
| After security / airside | No | No post-security smoking; exit and re-clear TSA |
| Uncovered parking lots | Yes | Outdoor, 20 ft from any door/window/vent |
| Covered/pavilion areas | No | Open-air feel, but not a smoking area |
| Vaping/e-cigarettes | Outdoor only | Same rule as cigarettes |
For USA airport smoking rules, state vape rules, lighter rules at TSA, and other federal/state info, see our USA smoking guide.