New 15-35 MPH Speed Limits Take Effect Near Hilo Airport

Drivers around Hilo International Airport encountered new posted speed limits after crews installed signage to recalibrate traffic speeds and enhance safety near the terminal. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation implemented changes along Kekūanāoʻa Street, also known locally as Airport Road, with limits now ranging from 15 mph to 35 mph.

The signs were installed Jan. 20, 2026, and the adjustments alter several short stretches used by commuters, shuttle drivers and airport traffic. Approaching the terminal, the posted limit increases from 25 mph to 35 mph after the first crossing with Kekūanāoʻa Place, then returns to 25 mph after the second crossing with Kekūanāoʻa Place. On the road leaving the terminal area, the limit was raised from 15 mph to 25 mph. The main terminal area itself remains posted at 15 mph to safeguard passengers and airport employees.

State transportation officials framed the changes as measures to maintain safety while keeping traffic flowing efficiently, a priority for the narrow corridor that handles a mix of rental cars, taxis, shuttles and pedestrian activity. For Hilo residents who frequent the airport or commute nearby, the new postings mean more attentive driving when transitioning between terminal zones and surrounding neighborhoods.

The shift to a variable speed pattern reflects the different demands of short segments along Airport Road: very low speeds where pedestrians and vehicle loading occur, and slightly higher speeds where sight lines and lane configurations allow steadier movement. Motorists should look for the new signs and be prepared for rapid changes in the posted limit over short distances, particularly where the road crosses Kekūanāoʻa Place.

Local implications include small changes to trip timing for those picking up arriving passengers, and a period of adjustment for commercial drivers who make repeated runs to and from the terminal. Maintaining the 15 mph limit inside the terminal reinforces caution in areas with high foot traffic, while the higher 35 mph posting on the approach aims to reduce bottlenecks that can back up onto surrounding streets.

As the new limits take effect, the message to drivers in the Hilo area is straightforward: follow the posted speeds and watch for repeated changes along Airport Road. The state’s action is intended to balance safety for travelers and airport staff with the practical need to keep traffic moving through a busy gateway to East Hawai‘i.