Boeing Company Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
HCF Controller failed to clear us for the visual or to join an instrument approach and left us on a 345 heading directly toward the West Maui mountains. We stated three prior times that we had Kahului field in sight. We finally were cleared for a visual approach; however we were west of the localizer and had to turn back east to avoid the West Maui Mountains. HCF controller seemed unable to handle amount of traffic he was assigned to control.
Air carrier Captain reported late clearance instructions from ATC while inbound to OGG.