Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says United flight 1296 landed without incident yesterday, about three hours after it took off.
United spokesman Charles Hobart says nobody was hurt.
The Boeing 757 was headed for Kona International Airport with about 150 people on board when the smoke was reported by crew members.
Fire Department engines and ambulances sent to the airport as a precaution were released after the safe landing.
Hobart says passengers will be transferred to other flights and the aircraft will undergo a thorough inspection by maintenance crews.