Knives, collapsible baton confiscated from Hilo-bound traveler at Honolulu airport

A Hilo-bound traveler was cited after two knives and a baton were confiscated from him while going through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport earlier this month.

This was one of two incidents within the past two weeks at two of Hawai‘i’s airports where Transportation Security Administration officers discovered prohibited items concealed on the bodies of travelers during a routine screening at the security checkpoint.

The first incident occurred on April 13 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at 4:13 p.m. During a routine X-ray screening, TSA officers spotted a club-like item in the carry-on bag of a traveler ticketed for travel to Hilo International Airport. Officers conducted a bag search, which led to the discovery of a collapsible baton. The bag was re-screened and TSA officers found a knife concealed in a comb inside the carry-on bag.

“Meanwhile, the traveler who owned the bag was screened through the body scanner, which alarmed on his lower left leg,” according to a press release from the Transportation Security Administration released Thursday.

A TSA officer asked the traveler if there was something on his leg and the traveler responded there was nothing on that part of his body. However, a targeted pat-down of that area revealed a butterfly knife taped to his leg.

The Hawai‘i State Sheriffs responded to the security checkpoint and cited the passenger on a state charge. All three prohibited items were abandoned to TSA.

The second incident occurred on April 18 at 6:45 a.m. at Kahului International Airport on Maui. TSA officers were conducting a routine X-ray screening of carry-on luggage in the security checkpoint when they spotted what appeared to be a plastic or ceramic knife in a cluttered bag. A search of the bag led to the discovery of a double-edged ceramic knife.

The officers gave the traveler, who was headed to San Francisco International Airport, the option of checking the knife with the airline. According to the press release, the traveler indicated he would do so and left the checkpoint before returning a few minutes later to be re-screened for his flight.

“Again the traveler triggered an alarm, this time in their waist band,” the release stated. “A targeted pat-down of that area resulted in the discovery of the same ceramic knife.”

TSA will review the circumstances of each incident and levy civil penalties against the travelers. A full summary of TSA’s civil penalties for prohibited items is available here.

“I am proud of the TSA officers throughout Hawaii and the Pacific who take their screening duties seriously, remain focused on their security mission and protect the traveling public every day. Let these two incidents serve as a reminder that TSA is on the lookout for prohibited items that travelers may choose to conceal,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Hawaii and the Pacific Nanea Vasta. “While I commend the actions of our TSOs, I am even more proud of how our team cares for and protects each other. I was reminded of this again this past weekend during an incident that underscored that we are more than co-workers – we are Ohana.”

TSA reminds passengers to be aware of the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. Travelers can use the “Can I Bring” feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA to check what items are allowed in a carry-on bag.

Travelers can also Tweet or Message “@AskTSA” if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance daily. Travelers may send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).