Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Man on tarmac grounds flight at Lihu'e Airport

Advertiser Staff

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A man ran onto the tarmac at Lihu'e Airport yesterday and threw a rock at a Hawaiian Airlines jet before he was subdued and arrested.

The intruder, whose identity was not available, was arrested about 1 p.m. after being confronted by Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines ramp employees, some of whom reportedly blocked his way with baggage carts.

The Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, which had been ready to take on passengers for a flight to Honolulu, was grounded pending the arrival of a mechanic to inspect it. It was flown out of the airport later in the day. A Hawaiian pilot was overheard saying he inspected the plane and could see no damage.

Airport operations were not otherwise affected.

Passengers on the Honolulu flight were transferred to later flights. Security officials at the airport could be seen by passengers, apparently searching for evidence on a grassy area between the terminal and the airport's main runways.

An airport security official said the man, who had carried a backpack onto the ramp, was in police custody yesterday afternoon. Kaua'i police were not available for comment.