Lihue Airport frequencies
Lihue Airport (LIH · PHLI) in Lihue, Kauai, HI is a towered field, staffed 0600-2200. Every frequency below is in the order you tune it, from the first call to the handoff on climb out. · Open on the map
All of Lihue Airport — runways, frequencies, charts and live weatherWhen the PHLI tower is closed
The tower is staffed 0600-2200. Outside those hours Lihue Airport has no operating control tower: it becomes a self announce field on 118.9, and separation from other traffic is yours, not a controller's. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern.
Runway lighting is often pilot controlled once the tower closes — check the PHLI airport page for the click sequence, and what to say on the radio.
Before taxi Lihue
- ATIS 127.2
- A recorded loop of the field's weather, active runway and any notices, updated hourly or whenever conditions change. Listen before your first call, and tell the controller which letter you have so they do not read it to you again.
- ASOS/AWOS 127.2
- An automated weather station reading the field conditions aloud — wind, visibility, ceiling, temperature and altimeter. It replaces ATIS at a field with no controller to record one. Get the altimeter setting before you descend below the transition altitude.
- Clearance 134.0 (CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4) secondary
- Clearance delivery issues your IFR clearance, and at busier fields your VFR departure instructions and squawk code. Call before you request taxi, with the ATIS letter and your intended direction of flight.
Taxi & takeoff Lihue
- Ground 121.9
- Ground control owns every taxiway and inactive runway on the field. Call for taxi with your position and destination on the field. You need an explicit clearance to cross any runway, including one that is not in use.
- Tower 118.9
- Tower owns the active runways and the surrounding surface area. Call before entering the surface area inbound, and hold short until you are cleared to take off or to cross.
Departure & arrival Hcf Center
- App/Dep 134.0 (CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4 · secondary)
- One radar controller working both arrivals and departures — normal at a smaller TRACON. The same frequency takes your climb out and your inbound call.
Also
- CTAF 118.9
- The common frequency pilots use to announce themselves to each other at a field with no operating control tower. Nobody is controlling traffic — you are self announcing. Report your position and intentions on entry and on each leg of the pattern, and listen well before you transmit.
- Flight service 126.5 (LOW/HIGH), 134.0 (LOW)
- Flight Service handles briefings, flight plans and en route advisories, reached here through a remote outlet. Open and close VFR flight plans, and get updated weather in the air. 1-800-WX-BRIEF reaches the same specialists from the ground.
- Emergency 121.5
- 121.5 is the international emergency and distress frequency, monitored continuously. Declare on it if you are in trouble, and monitor it as a second radio when you have one free.
By procedure & sector (4 more)
| 128.4 | HEL OPS |
|---|---|
| 243.0 | EMERG |
| 263.1 | LCL/P |
| 269.4 | MOUNT KAALA RCAG (LOW/HIGH) |
Every PHLI frequency, as one table
| ATIS | 127.2 |
|---|---|
| ASOS/AWOS | 127.2 |
| Clearance | 134.0 (CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4) |
| Ground | 121.9 |
| Tower | 118.9 |
| CTAF | 118.9 |
| Flight service | 126.5 (LOW/HIGH), 134.0 (LOW) |
| Emergency | 121.5 |
| App/Dep | 134.0 · CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4 · secondary |
Frequently asked
What is the tower frequency at PHLI?
Lihue Airport tower is 118.9, calling "Lihue Tower". The tower is staffed 0600-2200.
What frequency do I use at PHLI when the tower is closed?
Outside 0600-2200, Lihue Airport has no operating control tower and becomes a self announce field. Use 118.9 as the CTAF and report your position and intentions — there is nobody to clear you, so separation is yours.
What is the ground frequency at PHLI?
Ground control at Lihue Airport is 121.9. You need an explicit clearance from ground to cross any runway while taxiing, including one that is not in use.
What is the ATIS frequency at PHLI?
ATIS at Lihue Airport is 127.2. Listen before your first call and report the letter you have.
What is the approach frequency for PHLI?
App/Dep for Lihue Airport is 134.0, working as "Hcf Center" (CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4 · secondary). Call inbound for flight following or to begin an instrument approach.
Where do I get my clearance at PHLI?
Clearance delivery at Lihue Airport is 134.0 (CTC HCF WHEN LIH TWR CLSD AND UNABLE 126.5/269.4). Call before requesting taxi, with the current ATIS letter and your direction of flight.
More about PHLI
Frequencies from FAA NASR. For planning and education only; always verify against official sources.