Flying to Kaua'i

Today I'm flying back to the island after a long absence taking care of business mainland. Writing from the airport gate there may be a few helpful things I can offer to prospective travelers.

I have been flying Hawaiian Airlines and always been happy with the service. For domestic round trips they offer "Coach Plus" which for an extra $50 gives you two checked bags plus no-fee flight changes. Since they charge to check bags anyway it's almost free and ability to change flights (you do pay difference if the new flight is higher priced) is great. For example you can hop on an earlier connecting flight if you arrive early (though not if you checked a bag). One glitch I have learned about is that if you can't change return flight online (and the error message you get doesn't explain that at all), it only works if the ticket is yet unused.

At Lihue airport transit lounge check out the world clocks - a little different than the usual.

At Lihue bags usually appear promptly after arrival in my experience. If you are renting a car walk across the airport loop road and get on a shuttle to the agency you want. There can be significant lines at rental agencies so if you can get a priority reservation it may be worth it.