Interisland terminal adds 2 checkpoints
By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Staff Writer
Honolulu International Airport yesterday opened two new security checkpoints at the interisland terminal to handle an increase in summertime air travelers.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
The additions bring to six the number of passenger screening checkpoints between the interisland ticket lobby and the gate areas. One of the new stations is to the far right of the Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter; the other is to the far left of the Aloha Airlines counter.
Passengers have their shoes examined at a new security checkpoint scanner at the airport's interisland terminal.
Coleman Wright, a student at Honolulu Community College who flies home to the Big Island on the weekends, said the additional checkpoints come at the perfect time.
In the summer, he said, the lines get so long that the people at the end are forced to stand outside in the heat.
"This is going to be really good," said Wright. "I hate waiting. This will for sure make traveling more enjoyable."
Even with the extra capacity, Hawaiian Airlines passenger Leimomi Agrabante said yesterday's lines were the longest she's seen in a while.
Agrabante, who travels several times a year between her homes on O'ahu and Maui, said she's relieved that something is being done to shorten the wait for passengers.
"I usually have to arrive at the airport at 6 in the morning, but I don't get to Maui until 11," she said.
"I'm glad they're doing something to make (the wait) shorter."
State Transportation Director Rod Haraga said even after summer is over, the extra security checkpoints will ease passenger congestion in the terminals during peak flying times.
Also yesterday, the Department of Transportation announced that beginning this week, people can park for free for the first half-hour at all state commercial airports. People will pay $1 for the second half-hour, and $1 for each hour after that.
The new parking rates are part of a six-month pilot program to make it more convenient for people dropping off or picking up air travelers.
