Originally Posted by
Andrewgr2
If the runways at HNL are so close to each other are they both allowed to be active at the same time?
Short answer - yes, given that the Caravan and 777 were in fact landing within a minute of each other.
Longer answer - 4R/22L and 4L/22R were, historically, the "smaller aircraft" runways, while 8L/26R and 8R/26L were the widely-spaced main runways for the big guys, and oriented into the prevailing easterly tropical trade winds.
However, for United in particular, 4R (northeasterly) and the exit at K are
very convenient for landings, when possible, because they exit
directly to United's gates at the east end of the terminal. Saving at least a mile (and often much more) of taxiing (and taxi fuel). And HNL ATC accomodates them when they can. I'm sure United crews are well-versed in the "special needs" of using 4R and K - they just bobbled it this time and crossed the wrong line.
HNL is an oddity. The main hub airport for the Hawaiian Archipelago, constrained in area by ocean, mountains (NE) and the city of Honolulu (E). As well as sharing its runways with the military aircraft of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. It has a variety of abnormal procedures, including an LDA descent to 26L (with a 40° left turn on short final) to avoid overflying Waikiki (tourist) Beach, and Honolulu and its obstructions, and conducts LAHS Operations on 4L, 4R and 8L, the hold-short-of point being the intersection of K, 8L and 4L.