Originally Posted by
nishimark
This kind of naming can work when the person is extremely well known (e.g., JFK), while in other cases it will just lead to confusion.
You are exactly right. While the late senator deserves to be recognized (he did a lot of good for Hawaii and the world) those who voted to rename the airport in his honor failed to recognize the fact that the senator, well known as he is and was in his native state, is not as widely known outside the state.