KOA TSA Wait Times — Kona
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, Kailua-Kona. Live security wait times, updated every 10 minutes.
GateWaitTimes independently measures security waits at KOA, taking a reading every ten minutes around the clock. We have recorded 11,106 readings here since August 25, 2026, drawn from official TSA, airport, and FAA feeds.
Learn more about our data credibility & sources →KOA TSA Wait Times by Hour
This chart shows the average security wait at KOA for every hour of the day, so a taller bar means the line is usually longer at that time. The numbers come from our own readings, which we take every ten minutes around the clock.
The current wait time at KOA is 8 minutes, which is about average for a Friday, when the line usually runs around 6 minutes.
When Should You Leave?
Tap to pick your flight’s departure time
TSA PreCheck at Kona
PreCheck lane open right now
The TSA PreCheck lane at Kona is usually the fastest way through security. Travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids packed, so the lane keeps moving even when the standard line backs up. At an airport this size, most major checkpoints run a PreCheck lane for much of the day, though hours still vary by checkpoint.
The status above comes from the same feed as the wait time on this page. GateWaitTimes polls it every 10 minutes, around the clock. If the lane shows closed, standard screening is still open; recheck shortly before you leave in case staffing changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at KOA?
These are general guidelines for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. Use the calculator above for a departure time tuned to the current wait, your drive, and whether you have PreCheck. Add time on peak travel mornings, around holidays, and if you're checking a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the security line at Kona (KOA) right now?
As of the latest measurement, the standard security wait at KOA is about 8 minutes. GateWaitTimes re-measures every 10 minutes, so check the live figure at the top of this page.
How early should I arrive at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole?
For a large airport, arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add time during holiday peaks and early-morning banks.
Does KOA have TSA PreCheck?
Most US airports of this size offer TSA PreCheck lanes at their main checkpoints, though lane hours vary by checkpoint and time of day. Check the checkpoint status on this page for which lanes are reporting, and the TSA site for official PreCheck lane hours.
How often is this wait-time data updated?
GateWaitTimes polls TSA wait-time feeds, FAA airport status, and National Weather Service forecasts every 10 minutes, around the clock, and records every reading.
Is TSA PreCheck open at KOA right now?
Yes — as of the latest reading, a TSA PreCheck lane is open at KOA. GateWaitTimes re-checks every 10 minutes.
About Security at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) serves Kailua-Kona, HI. It is a large airport with steady passenger volume through most of the day, so the standard lane rarely empties out completely, which shapes how the security line at Kona behaves: expect the longest waits when several departures cluster in the same hour, and much shorter ones in between.
TSA PreCheck status at KOA is tracked live. The PreCheck section above shows whether a lane is open right now. PreCheck lanes usually move faster than standard screening, but they are not staffed at every hour, so check before counting on one.
The number above is a live reading for the standard lane, refreshed every few minutes. Security wait times can change quickly at KOA, so recheck this page shortly before you leave for the airport.
Fun Facts About Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole
- The airport sits atop a jagged 1801 lava flow from Hualalai volcano, giving it a stark black-rock setting.
- It's named for Ellison Onizuka, the Big Island astronaut who died aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.
- Passengers walk between open-air, thatched-roof pavilions rather than through an enclosed terminal building.
- It's the main gateway to the Kona coast, famed worldwide for its coffee-growing slopes.