Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Overview

Situated in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole functions as a key airport serving the broader regional population. The regional transportation hub plays a meaningful role in the area's commercial and civic landscape, anchoring a network of nearby communities. A closer look at the reachable population within 30 minutes reveals the reach and importance of this destination.

Population catchment

Approximately 24,491 residents live within a 30-minute drive of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, spread across 2 distinct incorporated communities. Kailua, with a population of 19,713, is the dominant community in the catchment area, accounting for 80% of the reachable population. The next largest community, Kahaluu-Keauhou, adds 4,778 residents. This concentration highlights the demographic weight of the primary population center relative to smaller surrounding communities.

Regional dependence

Regional dependence is evident in the demographic profile surrounding Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. With 1 of 2 communities registering populations under 5,000, many residents travel beyond their home communities for services available at or near Kailua. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole benefits from this travel pattern, serving as a practical destination for a dispersed population base across Hawaii.

Geographic interpretation

Geographically, the communities within 30 minutes of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole form a suburban corridor. The area features a suburban pattern where several communities of moderate size coexist with smaller towns, creating a varied demographic landscape. Kailua dominates the population landscape, and the surrounding communities create a moderately concentrated distribution. A median population of 12,245 among the catchment communities suggests that smaller communities are the norm, with only a few larger population centers. This settlement pattern influences commuting behavior and access to regional destinations throughout Hawaii.