LIHU‘E — The four new X-ray scanners being installed at Lihu‘e Airport this week could be right out of a sci-fi movie.
These computed tomography (CT) scanners — long, futuristic-looking tubes, lined with bright blue lights — use sophisticated algorithms to create 3-D images of individual items in a carry-on bag.
Transportation Security Administration officers can then rotate the images of each item 360 degrees to identify threats.
Officials hope that the new tech will make life easier for travelers leaving Lihu‘e Airport, since the improved scanning capabilities will allow passengers to leave liquids, aerosols and large electronics like computers in their bags as they pass through the security checkpoint.
“Anytime a traveler has to do less, it makes the process of screening quicker,” said TSA spokesperson Lori Dankers. “If you’ve ever stood behind someone looking for their laptop, or their Kindle Reader, or their Nintendo Switch in their bag, that’s frustrating.”
The units also reduce the need for physical bag checks and automatically divert bags that need to be inspected, further speeding up the process.
As the new machines are being installed, though — which will take a week and a half to two weeks — the security checkpoint lines will take longer.
“If you’re getting your kitchen redone it’s gonna wreak havoc on your ability to cook dinner,” said Dankers. “But that short-term pain is worth it for a long-term gain.”
The TSA recommends that travelers arrive at the airport two hours before their flight to make up for any delays while the machines are being installed, and the state Department of Transportation recommended on its Facebook page that travelers arrive a full two and a half hours early.
These machines, obtained from health-care and security-technology company Analogic, generally cost an average of around $325,000 each to install, though this number may be higher on Kaua‘i due to the high expense of shipping from the mainland.
Shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, TSA purchased its first round of 300 full-size CT scanners for $96.8 million, which were installed at larger airports throughout the country.
In August 2021, the TSA awarded $198 million to Analogic to provide additional mid-size scanners for smaller airports, and in March they expanded the program with a $781.2 million purchase. Lihu‘e is among the first group of airports to receive the mid-size units.
The machines are smaller than traditional 2-D scanners, and the TSA requests that passengers do not try to force larger items through.
In addition to the CT scanners, TSA also installed four units of credential authentication technology (CAT) at Lihu‘e several months ago, which can confirm the traveler’s photo identification and flight information in real-time — sometimes even allowing them to pass through checkpoints without showing their boarding pass.
“The introduction of these new technologies at (Lihu‘e) will raise the bar for security operations and improve the customer travel experience,” said TSA acting Federal Security Di≠≠≠rector for Hawai‘i Scot Thaxton. “TSA remains committed to providing the highest level of security with the greatest efficiency. Both of these technologies help to make this happen.”
The TSA anticipates a sustained high number of travelers departing Lihu‘e during the summer season. Travelers can expect the security checkpoints at Lihu‘e will be busiest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the busiest days to travel Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
