Located on the northern tip of the Big Island, it is 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northwest[1] of the unincorporated town of Hawi.

[2] Upolu Airport was built in 1927 for the United States Air Service to be under the control and management of the War Department.

In the event of increased air traffic, the Hawai'i State Legislature has made preliminary plans to build a parallel taxiway south of the runway and to move the existing terminal facilities farther from the runway to provide improved clearances and additional aircraft parking.

The airport covers an area of 82 acres (33 ha) at an elevation of 96 feet (29 m) above mean sea level.

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2008, the airport had 790 aircraft operations, an average of 65 per month: 89% general aviation, 10% military and 1% air taxi.