Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole

PHKO / KOA

Kailua-Kona, US

Last Updated
May 1, 11:22Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 19 min ago
11:22Z

☀️ Day
MVFR
Flight Rules
24°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 18°C
0 kt
10 SM
Visibility
2,600 ft
Ceiling
Above Ground Level
1016 hPa
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

SPECI PHKO 011122Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN026 24/18 A2999 RMK AO2 T02390178

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 47 ft
BKN 2,600 ft AGL
☁️
BKN
Broken (5/8-7/8 sky coverage)
2,600 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
2,647 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

MVFR

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is currently reporting marginal VFR (MVFR) conditions with broken clouds at 2,600 feet and 10 SM visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are calm, presenting no crosswind concerns for any runway.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is 10 SM. The ceiling is 2600 feet AGL (broken), placing conditions in the MVFR category.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 24°C (75°F) with a dewpoint of 18°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 27 hours. Conditions are expected to remain VFR throughout the forecast period.

Pilot Recommendations

VFR pilots should exercise caution. Consider filing IFR if instrument rated, or postponing the flight if conditions are expected to deteriorate further.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

QNH
1016 hPa
Sea Level Pressure
For altitude above MSL
QFE
1014 hPa
Field Pressure
Height above aerodrome (47 ft)
Pressure Alt
-36 ft
QNE Reference
Standard: 1013 hPa
Density Altitude: 1,055 ft
ISA Deviation: +9.1°C

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF PHKO 010843Z 0109/0212 VRB06KT P6SM SKC FM012000 21007KT P6SM FEW030 SCT050
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
11:40Z BASE
+0h
VFR VRB 6 kt
Visibility: >6SM
20:00Z FM012000
+9h
VFR 210° 7 kt
Visibility: >6SM

24-Hour Weather Evolution

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Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
HKO
17
35

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
17/35 11,000 ft 150 ft ASP 185°
0.0 kt 0.0 kt
175° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - PHKO

6,361 observations | Sep 2025 - Apr 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
90.9%
MVFR
7.6%
IFR
1%
LIFR
0.5%

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole enjoys predominantly VFR conditions, with visual flight rules prevailing 90.9% of the time. Prevailing winds are from the S averaging 7.9 knots, with gusts recorded up to 41 knots. The climate is relatively stable with temperatures averaging 25.6°C (range: 18°C to 31°C). The best months for VFR flying are September, February, November.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: S (180°)
Average Speed: 7.9 kt
Maximum Recorded: 41 kt
Calm Winds: 5.6%
Direction Distribution:
E
11.7%
N
8.8%
S
16.8%
W
14.8%
NE
9.1%
NW
6.3%
SE
16%
SW
10.9%

Temperature Range

Average: 25.6°C
Range: 18°C to 31°C
18°C 31°C

Visibility

Average: 9.9 SM
Below 3 SM: 0.5%
Fog Frequency: 0%

Best Months for VFR

September February November

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 17/35
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 4.5 kt

Statistics computed from 6,361 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Apr 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: PHKO
IATA Code: KOA
Type: medium airport
Status: active
Elevation: 47 ft MSL

Location

City: Kailua-Kona
Country: US
Latitude: 19.738783°
Longitude: -156.045603°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT+10

Runway Information

Runway 17/35
Length: 11,000 ft
Width: 150 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole

Overview

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport serves the western coast of Hawaii's Big Island, located near Kailua-Kona at an elevation of 47 feet MSL. The airport provides critical air transportation infrastructure for the region, supporting both commercial and general aviation operations on its single runway 17/35, which extends 11,000 feet with an asphalt surface.

Flying Conditions

Pilots can expect predominantly excellent visual flying conditions, with 93.1% of observations reporting VFR weather. The airport experiences consistent southeast winds averaging 7 knots, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 31°C and an average visibility of 9.9 statute miles. September, November, and January represent the most favorable months for visual flight operations.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic location on Hawaii's west coast introduces unique environmental considerations for pilots, including potential thermal variations and localized wind patterns. The single runway 17/35 demonstrates exceptional wind alignment, with 100% favorable wind conditions and an average crosswind component of only 4.6 knots, which contributes to predictable approach and departure environments.

Approach Considerations

With a remarkably stable wind profile predominantly from 135 degrees at an average of 7 knots, pilots can anticipate consistent runway 17/35 operations. Maximum recorded winds of 26 knots and only 5.3% calm conditions suggest that while wind variability exists, it remains within manageable parameters for most aircraft operations.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.