Maui Airport Lost and Found: Getting Your Belongings Back at OGG
That sinking feeling hits somewhere between the rental car shuttle and the hotel check-in: your sunglasses, your jacket, your tablet, or your child’s favorite stuffed animal is not in your bag. It is still at Kahului Airport. If you flew through Maui’s main airport and left something behind, you are dealing with the OGG lost and found system, and this guide walks you through exactly how it works, who to call, and where to go.
This is the single complete guide to the Maui airport lost and found process. It covers the official OGG lost and found office, what to do about items left at the TSA security checkpoint, and what to do about items left on the airplane, because each one is handled by a different office. Everything here is based on the airport’s official published information.
Maui Airport Lost and Found at a Glance
| Lost something at OGG? Work this list in order | Where to go | Why this step matters |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: the airport office | (808) 872-3421; ground level, outside baggage claim, inside the Pass and ID Office. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Items are held 45 days; most terminal finds end up here |
| Step 2: TSA checkpoint items | (808) 872-0235 | Held a minimum of 30 days; separate from the airport office |
| Step 3: left on the plane | Contact your airline directly | The airport never sees these; only the airline can help |
| The airport | Kahului Airport (OGG), 1 Keolani Pl, Kahului, HI | Confirm you are calling the right airport before you start |
First, Figure Out Where You Lost It
The single most important thing to understand about the OGG lost and found process is that there is not one office that handles everything. Three different places handle three different kinds of lost items, and calling the wrong one just costs you time. Before you pick up the phone, retrace your steps and decide which zone your item was in.
Lost in the Terminal
If you left something at check-in, in a waiting area, in a restaurant or shop, at baggage claim, or in the parking areas, it falls under the airport’s own lost and found department. This includes items found on the ground level and throughout the terminal building. The airport office is the one to contact, and it is the only office that handles terminal items.
Lost at the Security Checkpoint
Items left behind at the TSA security screening checkpoint, such as a laptop left in a bin, a watch or jewelry removed for screening, or a bag forgotten at the checkpoint, are handled by the Transportation Security Administration, not the airport. The TSA keeps its own lost and found for each checkpoint, so you need to contact TSA directly.
Left on the Airplane
Anything left in a seat pocket, an overhead bin, or under a seat on the aircraft belongs to the airline’s lost and found system. The airport cannot search airplanes, and the TSA cannot either. You must contact the airline you flew with and file a report through their own lost property process. Have your flight number and travel date ready.
The OGG Terminal Lost and Found Office
The official lost and found department for Kahului Airport handles items lost in the terminal. Its office sits on the ground level of the terminal, just outside the baggage claim area, inside the Pass and ID Office. If you are still at the airport, that is where you go in person. Look for the ground level near baggage claim rather than the departures level upstairs.
You can reach the office by phone at (808) 872-3421. Pay close attention to the counter hours, because they are limited: the counter is staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you show up or call on a Tuesday, Thursday, or weekend, nobody will be at the counter. Plan your visit or your call for one of the three staffed days.
Items turned in to the airport office are held for 45 days. That gives you a reasonable window, but it is still smart to report your loss quickly. The sooner the office has your description on file, the better your chances, because staff can match your item if it turns up later. After 45 days, unclaimed items are disposed of, so do not let the clock run out.
Lost Something at the TSA Security Checkpoint
The security checkpoint is one of the most common places travelers lose things. You are juggling bins, shoes, laptops, and boarding passes under time pressure, and it is easy to walk off without a watch, a phone, or a small bag. If your item went missing at the OGG checkpoint, call TSA at (808) 872-0235.
The TSA holds lost and found items for a minimum of 30 days. If nobody claims them, the items are destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold as excess property. Because that 30-day clock is shorter than the airport’s 45-day hold, checkpoint losses deserve fast action. Call as soon as you realize something is missing, and describe exactly which checkpoint lane and time you went through if you can remember.
Left It on the Plane
Items left on board the aircraft are the airline’s responsibility, and each airline runs its own lost property system. Start with the airline’s website, where most carriers have an online lost item form, and follow up by phone if needed. The sooner you file, the better, because cabin crews clean planes on tight turnarounds and items move to central lost property facilities fast.
The airlines serving Kahului Airport include Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. When you contact them, have your flight number, the date of travel, your seat number, and a clear description of the item. A photo of the item, if you have one from your trip, can help staff identify it.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
Whether you are calling the airport office, the TSA, or your airline, the same preparation makes the process faster. Lost and found staff handle many similar-sounding items every day, so the more specific you are, the faster they can match yours.
- A precise description of the item: brand, model, color, size, and any distinguishing marks or engravings
- Exactly where you think you lost it: which part of the terminal, which checkpoint lane, or your seat number
- The date and approximate time you were at the airport
- Your flight number and airline, for items lost near gates or on planes
- Your full name and a callback number where you can actually be reached
- A photo of the item if you have one on your phone
For electronics, serial numbers are gold. If you registered the device or still have the original box or receipt at home, the serial number lets staff confirm a match with certainty. For wallets and bags, list the contents as specifically as you can, since staff may ask you to identify what was inside to prove ownership.
Already Back Home? You Still Have Options
Many travelers only realize something is missing after they land back on the mainland. That does not end your chances. Call the right office, file your description, and ask about your options for getting the item back. In many cases, lost and found offices can arrange to ship an item to you if you cover the shipping cost, which is far cheaper than a return trip to Maui.
If you know someone still on Maui, you can also authorize another person to pick the item up for you. Bring this up when you call: ask what identification or written authorization the office needs from your stand-in. Sorting that out in advance avoids a second round of phone tag. For more on planning the rest of your time on the island, see our guide to reasons to visit Maui so the trip that lost the item is still remembered fondly.
Common Mistakes That Cost People Their Items
The OGG lost and found system works fine when you use it correctly, but a few common mistakes cause most of the failures. The biggest one is waiting too long. With a 45-day hold at the airport office and only 30 days at TSA, every week you delay shrinks your margin. Report the loss the day you notice it.
The second mistake is contacting the wrong office. The airport cannot help with items left on the plane, the TSA cannot help with items lost at baggage claim, and the airline cannot help with items lost at the checkpoint. Matching the item to the right office on the first call saves days of being transferred around.
The third mistake is showing up in person without checking the hours. The OGG lost and found counter is only staffed three days a week. Driving to the airport on a Tuesday or a Saturday to claim an item means finding a closed counter. Call first, confirm your item is there, and visit during staffed hours. If you are flying into Maui for the first time and want the arrival basics, our guide on whether you need a passport to fly to Hawaii covers the documents side of the trip.
How to Avoid Losing Things at OGG Next Time
A little airport discipline goes a long way. At the security checkpoint, count your bins before and after screening and do a pocket pat-down before you walk away. Keep small valuables, such as watches, rings, and earbuds, inside your carry-on rather than loose in a bin. At the gate, do a seat-area check every time you stand up: look at the seat pocket, the floor, and the armrest.
When you land, check the seat pocket and the floor around your seat before you join the aisle rush, because the seat pocket is the number one place items get left on planes. At baggage claim, keep your personal item zipped and on your person while you wrestle suitcases off the carousel. Travelers setting a backpack down to grab a suitcase and walking off without it is one of the most reported terminal losses.
Finally, photograph your valuables before the trip and keep serial numbers somewhere accessible, like in your phone’s notes app. If something does go missing, that preparation turns a vague description into a precise one, and precise descriptions get matched. Once your belongings are secure, you can get back to the fun part: exploring the island. Our picks for the best places to visit in Maui are a good place to start planning.
Video: Walking Through Kahului Airport
See the OGG arrival walk from the gate to baggage claim, so you know exactly where the ground level offices sit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the phone number for the OGG lost and found?
The Kahului Airport lost and found office can be reached at (808) 872-3421. The counter is staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For items lost at the TSA checkpoint, call (808) 872-0235 instead.
Where is the lost and found office at Kahului Airport?
The office is on the ground level of the terminal, just outside the baggage claim area, inside the Pass and ID Office. If you are at the airport, head to the ground level near baggage claim rather than the upstairs departures level.
How long does OGG hold lost items?
The airport’s lost and found office holds items for 45 days. Items left at the TSA security checkpoint are held for a minimum of 30 days. Report your loss as soon as possible in both cases.
What if I left something on the airplane at OGG?
Contact your airline directly. The airport’s lost and found office does not handle items left on aircraft, and neither does the TSA. File a report with the airline, including your flight number, travel date, and seat number.
Can someone else pick up my lost item for me?
Often yes, but ask the office what authorization they require when you call. You will typically need to provide written permission and your stand-in will need identification. You can also ask about shipping the item to your home address at your expense.
Does the OGG lost and found have an online form?
The airport’s official lost and found page lists the phone number and office details as the contact method. Calling during staffed hours is the most direct way to file your description and check whether your item has been turned in.
Losing something at the airport is stressful, but at Kahului Airport the system is straightforward once you know which office handles your item. Call the right number, describe your item precisely, and act within the holding window. Most travelers who follow those three steps get their belongings back, and the whole episode becomes just another story from the trip.
