U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, recently announced that airports in Hilo, Kona and Lihu‘e are receiving a total of $9.5 million to help expand abilities to screen airline baggage for explosive devices. Lihu‘e Airport will receive $3.5 million,
U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Neighbor Islands-rural O‘ahu, recently announced that airports in Hilo, Kona and Lihu‘e are receiving a total of $9.5 million to help expand abilities to screen airline baggage for explosive devices.
Lihu‘e Airport will receive $3.5 million, he said.
“These funds from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will enable our major Neighbor-Island airports to add explosive-detection systems (EDS) to their security infrastructure, and help to maximize their efficiency in screening the thousands of pieces of luggage they handle every day,” said Case.
“The additional equipment will help to strengthen airline and airport security and the safety of all passengers and airline crews,” said Case, who met with David Stone, acting under secretary of transportation security, to push for the funding.
TSA officials earlier this week informed Case that agency leaders this fiscal year will provide $3.5 million to Kona International Airport, $3.5 million to Lihu‘e Airport, and $2.5 million to Hilo International Airport, to help cover the cost of additional explosive-detection equipment.
“Screening in Kona is woefully inadequate, and that airport has been crying for additional EDS machines for the past two years, thus far with-out result.
The same is true for our airports on Maui and Kaua‘i,” said Case.
“The growing terrorist threats in the Asia/Pacific region and increased visitor traffic to our state necessitate this action to immediately equip all of our airports so they are better equipped to meet the growing need for hi-tech baggage screening,” Case concluded.
