FlightsWhat to ExpectPhotosAboutFAQs
Book Now
Dillingham Airfield runway with the Waiʻanae mountains behind it on Oahu's North Shore

Where we fly from

Dillingham Airfield (Kawaihāpai): where to park, when to arrive, what flies here

The small airfield at the quiet west end of the North Shore. Everything you need to know before you drive out.

What travelers ask

Dillingham Airfield sits on Farrington Highway in Mokulēia, on the far west end of Oahu's North Shore, between the Waiʻanae mountains and the ocean. Here the trade winds meet the ridge and turn upward, which gives gliders lift on more than 330 days a year. The state renamed it Kawaihāpai Airfield, so you will see both names on signs and maps. It is a small, open field with one runway, and it is where our glider rides begin. Here is the practical stuff.

Visitor guide

What do I need to know before going to Dillingham Airfield?

Answered by Hawaii Glider Rides

The answers

  • Where it isLocationAsked most

    Mokulēia, about 15 minutes west of Haleʻiwa on Farrington Highway. From Waikiki it is about 45 miles and an hour of driving early in the day. Search Dillingham Airfield or Kawaihāpai Airfield in your maps app. Both land you at the same gate.

  • How to get thereDirections

    H-1 west to H-2 north, through Wahiawā on Kamehameha Highway, then left onto Farrington Highway at the Haleʻiwa bypass. Follow the coast west past Mokulēia Beach Park and the polo field. The airfield entrance is on the mountain side of the road.

  • ParkingFree

    Free, on the field, next to the hangars. No garage, no meters, no shuttle. Leave nothing visible in the car, same as any beach lot on Oahu.

  • When to arriveTiming

    Thirty minutes before your flight time. That covers check-in, a short briefing and a walk out to the aircraft. Arrive earlier if you are coming from Waikiki in the morning, since traffic through Wahiawā is unpredictable.

  • What else flies hereWhat you will see

    Skydiving planes climb out of here all day, and you will see canopies coming down over the field. Small private aircraft come and go. Gliders are the quiet ones. Bring sunglasses and a hat, since there is not much shade on an airfield.

  • Weather and what happens if it turnsWeather

    Mokulēia is on the drier side of the North Shore and most days are flyable. Your pilot makes the final call on the day. If the weather stops your flight, you rebook for free or get a full refund, and you are still 15 minutes from Haleʻiwa with a day to spend.

Where we fly from

Fly from here

Glider rides over Oahu's North Shore leave from Kawaihāpai (Dillingham) Airfield. 20, 30 or 60 minutes. Free reschedule up to 48 hours before you fly.

Book Your FlightSee What It's Like

Quick answers

What people ask next

  • On Farrington Highway in Mokulēia, at the west end of Oahu's North Shore, about 15 minutes past Haleʻiwa. It is about an hour from Waikiki early in the morning.

This page is written and published by Hawaii Glider Rides. It summarizes the advice we hear most often from visitors and locals planning a trip to Oahu. It is not affiliated with or sourced from Reddit, Inc. Confirm hours, conditions and bookings directly with each operator.