Kahului Airport (OGG/PHOG) is one of the biggest airports in the Hawaiian State and even the biggest and most important on the island Maui. It’s located around 5km east of the city Kahului and was opened back in 1942 as military base during WW2. The airport is no main hub of any airline, but regularly served by US-carriers like Hawaiian, Southwest, American, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines and regional carrier Mokulele Airlines

Helicopter flights are an important part of the activities here as well, as there are some companies (based on the eastern side of the airfield), which offer helicopter sight-seeing-flights above the island Maui and the nearby regions.

Apart from this, there are some military activities at OGG as well, because the airport is regularly used by the US Coast Guard for fuel stops or similar – on the other hand, US Air Force transporters are a very uncommon sight here as they usually use their seperated base, located at Honolulu Intl’ Airport.

All in all, OGG handled almost 6 million passengers back in 2021.

Written by Severin Hackenberger, Jan Seba, Bryan Wu, spot 6 by Kuba Kawczynski. Last change: June 2025 – 4&5 updated, 8 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
02/20	2132m x 46m Asphalt
05/23	1521m x 46m Asphalt
Terminals
Main Terminal	All major airlines
Commuter Terminal	Makani Kai Air, Mokulele Airlines
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not often needed here. There are almost always alternative spots for the ones, where a ladder is needed.
Car/Public Transport	Public transport in this area is quite poor, a car will be much easier anyway. Parking is no problem at the mentioned spots and the hot temperatures don’t invite normal people to walk long distances by foot.
Drinks/Food/Restrooms	There are many shops, stores and restaurants west of spot #1, where you can find food, drinks and restrooms.
Hotels	There are a couple of hotels in the city and of course a huge offer of spots to sleep at on the island.
Season	There is no off- or on-season here, regarding the airtraffic. But the winter might be better for spotting due to the lower temperatures, so you won’t have heat haze as fast as in the summer.
Security	As of 2025, security checks are common these days so be prepared. Usually they are friendly but tell you to leave as you stay on “private” property.
Runway Usage
General Info	The airport is located in a kind of valley between two vulcans, due to its location passatwinds are normally reinforced. So you’ll have winds up to 70 km/h here almost all over the year, coming from northeastern direction (50-60 geographical degree).
02/20	Major runway due to its direction and length.
05/23	This runway is barely used as you’d have stronger side winds here.

	Spot #1 – Shoppingcentre parking – 02 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is no exact location, rather the area inside the parking here. Search your favourite position then, depending on the lightpoles, heat destortion or similar. We would recommend the (south)eastern front of the parking area as you’ll have the fewest heat problems here caused by other cars.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 02.
TIME	From midday on till sunset.
MISC.	All you need like parking spaces, food, restrooms or similar can be found here in the nearby area.
FOCAL LENGTH	250-400mm

OGG-Spot1

OGG-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Shed – 02 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is loacted by the roadside of “Kala Road” and no exact position as well, just the are in the area around here. Spot can be reached quite easily from “Haleakala Highway” or from the bit busier street “Airport Road” – therefore use exit 36a. After reaching this area by car, just park your vehicle by the roadside and search your favourite position along the street.
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 02.
TIME	From midday on till sunset.
MISC.	No ladder needed. Nothing really nearby, nearest facilities are the shops/restaurants west of this spot. Heat haze can be a problem on hot days.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-250mm

	Spot #3 – Terminal – 02/20 + Apron
WHERE	THIS SPOT IS BEYOND THE SECURITY CHECK! After passing the security check, head to the southern end of the terminal, where you can find the gates with the little numbers. As this spot is no exact position, rather the area along the glass front, just search your favourite position there after some time.
WHAT	Runway 02/20 and the nearby apron parts, depending on your exact position.
TIME	Depending on the exact angle of the planes, which you wanna spot. Apron is mostly better in the afternoon and the runway has good light conditions from midday on till sunset.
MISC.	Heat haze is BIG problem on hot days, everything needed inside the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	24-250mm C130 = 215mm

OGG-Spot3

OGG-Spot3

OGG-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Kala Road – 02 Arrivals/helipad arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located by the roadside of “Kala Road” as well and can normally just be reached by car from the terminal easily. Park by the roadside after you have crossed the bridge when coming from the airport. (4A) . Then just search your favorite position around here. There are also two options to photograph the incoming helicopters next to the main location. There are two grave areas where you can stay (4B)
WHAT	Arrivals on runway 02 and the helicopter pad. Latter use a bit different path (not 02 direction) and coming straight from the south to the pads.
TIME	From sunrise till midday. Helicopter approach can be made almost the whole day.
MISC.	Heat haze can be a problem on hot days. No ladder needed, everything needed can be found in the nearby villages, so the best area is weat of this spot into Kaluhui direction.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on your exact position, but around 50-200mm

4A: Runway 02 arrivals in the morning

OGG-Spot4A

OGG-Spot4A

OGG-Spot4A

OGG-Spot4A

OGG-Spot4A

OGG-Spot4A

4B: helicopter arrivals in the afternoon

OGG-Spot4B

OGG-Spot4B

OGG-Spot4B

	Spot #5 – Helicopter apron – Helicopter apron
WHERE	This spot is located inside the parking of “Pacific Helicopter Tours” – a company, which is located just next to the parking. The parking it self can’t be entered due to some barriers, but you can park your car in front of those by the roadside. Then just walk into the parking by foot and search your favourite position along the fence.
WHAT	The helicopter apron can be seen from here quite well. You can also see the runway 02/20 from here.
TIME	Depending on the angle of the parked/flying helicopter and your exact position. But early morning won’t be perfect, as sun has to climb over the vulcanhill first and same fits for late evening, when the sun is supposed to be gone behind the other vulcanhill as well. So best time is around midday here.
MISC.	Heat haze might be a problem on hot days and due to helicopters anyway, because they create a lot of heat all time, so second/third row of parking spots might be difficult already. Nothing nearby, ladder needed for apron shots normally, but helicopters in the air can be shot without one as well.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

We didn’t test the spot ourselves yet, but an example shot looks like THIS.

	Spot #6 – General Aviation – 02/20 + 05 Departures + 23 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located at the end of Kuhea Street, accessible by car only via a back road behind the airport fire station and the GA apron – Kuhea St is closed now.
WHAT	All runway 02/20 movements, runway 05 departures and runway 23 arrivals. You might also be able to spot aircraft taxiing to runway 20 or vacating runway 02 but heat haze is a problem at most times. Nearby General Aviation ramp can be photographed as well.
TIME	From sunrise till noon in summer, in winter till 2 PM. Heat haze is present throughout the entire year.
MISC.	You will need a two-three-step ladder, standing out of your car’s boot will also do the thing. GA ramp can be photographed through the mesh easily.
FOCAL LENGTH	Rwy02 departures : 100-120mm (A321 – 100mm, 717 – 115mm) A321 on ground : 80-90mm Rwy 05 departures : 250mm (this runway is only used by GA traffic so you will need longer focal length)

OGG-Spot6

OGG-Spot6

OGG-Spot6

OGG-Spot6

OGG-Spot6

OGG-Spot6

	Spot #7 – Paved trail – 02 and 05 Departures + 20 Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is located on a paved trail that runs along the north side of the airport. There are yellow railings at one portion that overlooks the airport above the fence, at the end of runway 20. The location is best reached by car. To get there, park at VOR Beach located off Stable Rd. There is a small beach with a small parking area that locals go to. The beach is open from 6:30AM-7:00PM. From there, cross the road and walk along the paved trail to the spotting location. The vantage point you get at this location is great, and the aircrafts taxi very close to you entering and exiting the runway.
WHAT	Runway 02 departures, runway 20 arrivals, runway 05 departures.
TIME	From noon to sunset (beware beach closure)
MISC.	A ladder is not necessary at this specific location, but it could be used elsewhere along the trail as it runs along the airport. The fence is made of wood planks, so you can not shoot through them. Heat haze is an issue here, especially during the summer months. Nothing is nearby, so bring everything you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm B777 close up = 120mm

	Spot #8 – Atlantic Aviation –
WHERE	From the terminal drive on Kala Rd and pass the previous spotting locations and the Helicopter base. Then there is a sign to “Atlantic Aviation” turn left and after 100 meters left again. This road will lead you to the perimeter fence on the opposite side of the terminal. Need to shoot through the Mesh, ideally a small lens with a small diameter is recommended. Otherwise the fence isn’t too high and with a small aid you can also shoot above the fence.
WHAT	Lot of options! 02 arrivals and departures as well as 20 arrivals which pass by or vacate the runway directly at this spot. Ramp and taxiway movements.
TIME	From sunrise till midday.
MISC.	We strongly recommend not to stay at this position for more than 5 minutes and leave again right away after taking your photo.
FOCAL LENGTH	55-250mm B777 close up = 120mm

OGG-Spot8

OGG-Spot8

OGG-Spot8

OGG-Spot8

OGG-Spot8

OGG-Spot8