LIHU‘E — A foul smell caused Lihu‘e Airport to be shut down Thursday evening for approximately two hours. “At the checkpoint a few of the employees were feeling dizzy and noxious,” said an airport security staff member who spoke on
LIHU‘E — A foul smell caused Lihu‘e Airport to be shut down Thursday evening for approximately two hours.
“At the checkpoint a few of the employees were feeling dizzy and noxious,” said an airport security staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity, adding that a hazardous materials team came out, and until they figured out what was going on the airport was shut down.
At 6 p.m., about 10 Transportation Security Administration screeners at the main checkpoint experienced dizziness, nausea, headache, throwing up and a chemical taste in their mouths, said Daniel Meisenzahl, spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
The workers were treated by the Aircraft Rescue Firefighter team and American Medical Response staff before being taken to the emergency room at Wilcox Memorial Hospital, Meisenzahl said.
“The checkpoint area was closed off and secured and passengers were diverted to checkpoints No. 2 and No. 3,” he said.
The entrance to the airport was closed by the Kaua‘i Police Department shortly thereafter and was reopened at approximately 8:10 p.m., according to Meisenzahl.
At 9 p.m. drivers were still being sent to the rental car area or to the main parking lot.
Only law enforcement and emergency personnel were allowed in the dropoff/pick-up areas.
“Incoming flights are slightly delayed but none were diverted,” Meisenzahl said. “Hawaiian (Airlines) had two departures since the incident began. No passengers are reported to have been affected by the incident.”
By press time there was still no information on what the smell was or on the condition of the TSA workers taken to the ER.
