The only way to get the passengers off a 777 in Hilo might be down the emergency slide. The jetways at ITO can't accommodate an aircraft that large and the tallest stairs at the airport were owned by FedEx and they sent them back years ago. Using the emergency slide almost always results in minor injuries, they would only divert a 777 here if there were no other options. Not to mention, using the emergency slide renders the aircraft inoperable for pax until it can be replaced for about $50k.
When FEMA flew in supplies for the 2018 eruption they had to send them to Kona and have it trucked over because ITO didn't have the equipment to get the crew off or unload the aircraft it came on.
When FEMA flew in supplies for the 2018 eruption they had to send them to Kona and have it trucked over because ITO didn't have the equipment to get the crew off or unload the aircraft it came on.