1980s

The emergence of luxury resorts in the early 1980’s further transformed the Kona and Kohala districts as a destination of choice for tourists.  The Keauhou Bay Resort and Kona-By-the-Sea added to West Hawaii’s rapidly growing list of places to stay.  United Airlines’ inauguration of direct daily flights from the Mainland to Kailua-Kona made possible the continuing growth of the hotels and resorts.

The Iron Man Triathlon further exposed the sporting world to Kona when it moved from Honolulu in 1981.  The annual event has become a heavily anticipated sporting event and draws competitors, fans and media from across the globe.

In the late 1980s, it was clear the airport needed expansion to cope with the rising number of international travelers.  An update of the airport Master Plan in 1987 cleared the way for construction of a new overseas terminal and extension of the runway to accommodate jumbo jets.  

The Space Shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 hit home and left the Kona community and all of Hawaii mourning the loss of a homegrown hero, astronaut, Ellison Onizuka.  The Onizuka Space Center, opened at the airport in 1991, bears tribute to his legacy.