The Transportation Security Administration and state Department of Transportation are preparing for a record number of travelers to Hawaii this summer, which is expected to surpass 2019 pre-pandemic travel volumes.
During Memorial Day weekend, the official start of summer travel season, Hawaii’s airports screened over 200,000 travelers over the four-day period, and 113,000 were screened at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said Thursday at a news conference.
“TSA has been planning literally for months for our summer travel plan,” Dankers said. “We’re happy to report we are fully staffed, which means we’re going to be able to keep lanes open based on passenger projections of the individuals who need to be screened.”
State DOT Director Ed Sniffen said local airports are prepared, but travelers must plan ahead to account for crowds and security processing.
“Your security is just as important as your convenience,” Sniffen said.
With over 30,000 travelers passing through security checkpoints in Honolulu every day, Dankers said travelers must come prepared and carefully listen to officers for instructions, which speeds the process. Dankers said security checkpoints with explosive detection K-9s in Honolulu and Maui airports are more efficient, and lines move faster.
“We have several things that travelers will do differently because they have been screened for explosives, so suddenly they’re a lower-risk traveler,” Dankers said. Some of those things could include not removing shoes or electronics from bags.
Dankers said when and where the K-9s work in the airport are “unpredictable and unannounced,” so travelers must pay close attention to officers’ instructions.
“If you see a dog working, what you’re going to want to do is head for that checkpoint because it will be a quicker experience for you,” Dankers said.
Dankers said anyone under 17 years old can now accompany TSA PreCheck-enrolled guardians through TSA PreCheck screening when traveling on the same reservation and when the indicator appears on their boarding pass. Previously, only children 12 and under were permitted to do so.
“That’s a money-saver for families, and it also helps us with the efficiency of our operations in the TSA PreCheck lanes,” Dankers said.
Dankers said standard security processing takes at least 30 minutes, and pre-checked processing takes 10 minutes.
At Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Sniffen said that as part of the “renewed experience for the public,” U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections of luggage and carry-on items will now be performed outside the terminals, rather than after TSA security checkpoints. The change started Thursday with five new machines to double their capacity of inspection, Sniffen said.
“We’re taking steps to ensure maximum efficiency here,” Sniffen said.
Sniffen said the DOT also will update the public on its website if parking is limited, and encourages being dropped off if possible.
“We’ll get as much information out as possible to the public, as early as possible, if there’s any concerns with parking,” Sniffen said.
Dankers said the busiest days to travel locally and nationally are Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday and that the Honolulu airport’s security checkpoints are busiest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Both Sniffen and Dankers recommend coming to the airport very early, though Dankers said how early depends on the traveler’s itinerary.
“You have so many steps to take before you even board your flight, so I refrain from recommending hours or minutes to get here early,” Dankers said. “You need to examine what you need to do to make sure you have plenty of time.”
SAFE TRAVELS
TSA’s tips to travel efficiently:
>> Ensure that carry-on bags do not contain prohibited items, which are listed on the TSA website.
>> Place all loose items from pockets inside carry‑ on bags to avoid leaving anything behind.
>> Carefully listen to guidance from TSA officers as certain technologies at Hawaii’s airports might allow for travelers to leave items inside carry-on bags and not display boarding passes during the travel document-checking process.
>> Only carry liquids, including sunscreen, creams, bug spray and aerosols, that are 3.4 ounces or less. This will prevent additional screening processes that can increase wait times.
>> Double-check your Known Traveler number and date of birth on your airline reservation.
