On Jan. 10, I went through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) line at the Honolulu airport and realized the TSA agents were not being paid due to the federal government shutdown. I thanked them for their sense of duty and for being at work without pay. After thanking the supervisor, she said that they are there today and in the future, to keep us safe.

I got a bit “verklempt.”

As citizens and taxpayers, we should thank all those federal employees who continue to show up for work, because of their sense of duty to our country and our personal safety. They aren’t doing this for the paycheck. They are showing up for us.

Going through TSA lines in the next few days, please be mindful of that. We should be respectful, courteous and grateful, because of their service. If you see other travelers mistreating them or giving them a difficult time, please intervene. It’s one thing to be paid to deal with ill-tempered travelers, it’s entirely another to be forced to deal with them and not be paid.

To all federal employees, I want to express my gratitude and humble thanks for continuing to honor your oath, duty and service, by protecting the rest of us.

Ted Hong

Hilo

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