Airport checkpoint moved

LIHU‘E — The quarantine-screening checkpoints at the exit of the Lihu‘e Airport on Ahukini Road have relocated to inside the airport.

Since April, the Hawai‘i National Guard has assisted the Kaua‘i Police Department on screening travelers to ensure the safety of the community.

KPD Assistant Chief Mark Begley said the entities would continue in their current capacity.

“We moved our checkpoint from Ahukini Road to the inside of the airport baggage claim for greater efficiency in light of the significant increase of arriving passengers,” said Begley. “We also have a mobile team that will be screening arrivals at the commuter airport.”

Begley said all arrivals are monitored for this purpose, visitors and kama‘aina alike. Those who have traveled through a screening process ensures they understand and abide by Gov. David Ige’s state-mandated quarantine requirements.

With current anticipation to open the island for tourism on September 1, the way KPD enforces COVID-19 checks will continue, but capacity will be increased, KPD Chief Todd Raybuck said during a July 23 Police Commission meeting.

The Hawai‘i National Guard will continue to work with KPD on an indefinite timeline with checkpoints and enforcing traveler quarantines.

KPD is currently monitoring about 500 out-of-state travelers in a mandatory, two-week quarantine. This includes returning residents, visitors and people moving to the island.

Officers have arrested 48 travelers violating the quarantine, the most recent 43-year-old Michael Pectol of Pacific Grove, California, last week.

Begley said KPD is fortunate to have a strong partnership with the state Department of Transportation Airports Division, the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, local hotels and resorts, rental-car agencies and other county and community partners.

“Collectively, we have been able to do what needs to be done to keep Kaua‘i healthy,” said Begley.

Info on the 10th emergency proclamation: governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2007090-ATG_Tenth-Supplementary-Proclamation-for-COVID-19-distribution-signed.pdf.

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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com. Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, contributed to this report.