Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii's largest airport, is located 9 miles from Waikiki. Honolulu International Airport is made up of three (3) terminals, the International and Domestic terminal; the Inter-island terminal; and the Commuter terminal.  Baggage claim is located on the Ground Floor, departure and arrivals are on the First Floor.

Be Prepared to Travel - Travel Tips

For further information, please visit the TSA website: www.tsa.gov

Before the Airport

• Do NOT pack or take prohibited items to the airport. Please visit http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1012.xml to obtain a listing of prohibited items. If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener and/or Law Enforcement Officer will make this determination depending on what the item is and the circumstances. Bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint - even accidentally - is illegal.
• Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal
• Refrain from packing or carrying on wrapped presents . Wrapped packages should be mailed ahead of time. Only carry unwrapped presents and wrap them once you arrive at your destination. If the wrapped package sets off an alarm, TSA will need to unwrap it to investigate the source of the alarm.
• Checked baggage will go through a security screening process which may differ, depending on equipment, at each airport.
• Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage . Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
• Carry-on baggage is limited to one (1) carry-on bag plus one (1) personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases. Remember, 1+1.
• Checked baggage is limited to two (2) per passenger.
• Do not over pack. Each checked bag may weigh 50 pounds if you are traveling domestically and 70 pounds if traveling internationally Hawaii is considered domestic travel) without incurring additional fees.
• Place identification tags in and on all of your baggage. Don't forget to label your laptop computer . Computers are one of the most forgotten items at Screening Checkpoints.
• Arrive at the airport early. Call your airline or travel agent for information on recommended check-in times.

At the Airport

• Arrive early so that you do not have to rush or feel anxious if there are long lines in the check-in lobby or at the security checkpoints.
• If you are departing from Hawaii , all baggage must go through agricultural inspection before checking in at your airline check in counter. Your luggage must pass agricultural inspection. Be sure that any fruits or plants you take home are certified for export.
• Non-certified fruits, vegetables, flowers or plants can not be taken in your checked or carry-on baggage. Non-inspected agricultural items will be confiscated.
• Once you have checked in for your flight you will be required to go through a security screening process. Keep your boarding pass and picture identification card readily accessible. It is required for the security screening process.

Security Screening Process

• New passenger checkpoint screening procedures have been introduced to increase the ability to identify explosives and potential threats to aviation security. These include increased use of explosives trace detection machines, expanded pat-down searches and greater discretion for screeners to refer individuals for additional screening.
• You will be asked to show the agent your boarding pass and identification card prior to divesting to the security screening process. Please remember that you are only allowed 1 carry on bag plus 1 personal item.
• Place all carry-on baggage and any items you are carrying with you either on the belt of the x-ray machine or in the bin provided.
• Put all metal objects IN your carry-on bag or in the bin provided at the security checkpoint. Metal objects includes; jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs).
• Take your laptop computer OUT of its’ carrying case. Place it in a bin, separate from its carrying case.
• Remove ALL coats and place them in the X-ray. This includes suit and sport coats, athletic warm-up jackets, and blazers.  If the coat or jacket is used as the innermost layer of clothing, you do not need to remove it. TIP: To help speed the security process, remove all coats prior to reaching the checkpoint. You will save time by consolidating your belongings - divested clothing can now be placed on top of laptops, shoes or other articles in bins submitted for X-ray.
• If your bag is selected for secondary screening, it may be opened and examined on a table in your presence. Do not interfere with the secondary screening of your carry on bag. The screener will advise you when the secondary screening is complete and you may collect your bag.
• Passengers are not required to take off their shoes before going through metal detectors, however if your shoes set off the metal detector, you will have to go through a secondary screening. You may want to voluntarily remove your shoes and place them in a bin provided for the x-ray machine and proceed through the metal detector barefoot.
• Travelers are required to walk through a metal detector unless you require a pat-down inspection for medical reasons.
• If a traveler sets off the alarm on the metal detector, they will undergo a secondary screen which requires extra time. To avoid secondary screening remove all metal objects (including belts, sunglasses, objects in your pockets including change, money clips, cell phones etc.) and place them in the x-ray bins before walking through the metal detectors.
• If you require secondary screening the process includes a hand-wand inspection in conjunction with a pat-down inspection.
• During the secondary screening process, you will be asked to stand with your feet apart and the screener will pass the wand over your entire body without actually touching you with the wand. A pat-down inspection may follow the wand inspection.

Traveling with Children

• Every person, regardless of age, must undergo screening to proceed beyond the security checkpoint. Even babies must be individually screened. You will not be asked to do anything that will separate you from your child or children .
• Screeners are specially trained and understand your concerns regarding children. Your child/children will be approached gently and treated with respect. If your child becomes uncomfortable or upset, you will be consulted about the best approach to resolving your child's concern.
• Explain the screening process to your children so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them to not joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
• Advise your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
• Let your children know that a screener may ask to see Mom or Dad's shoes, but they will be returned after the inspection.

The Screening Process

X-Ray

• All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys.
• All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.

• When you arrive at the checkpoint, you should collapse or fold child-related equipment and secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment. You will place these items on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.

• When child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, the equipment must be visually and physically inspected.
• Babies should NEVER be left in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine.

The Walk Through Metal Detector

• If your child can walk unassisted, it would be best to have the child walk through the metal detector independently.

• If your child can not walk, an adult may carry them through the metal detector. If the alarm goes off, the screener will need to resolve the alarm for both the adult and child.
• Babies and children must be removed from their strollers or infant carriers so they can be individually screened.
• You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process.
• Do not pass your child to the screener to hold.
• If your child sets off the alarm, the screener may ask for your assistance with secondary screening of your child.

  Travel Tips - Frequently Asked Questions

  For further information please visit the TSA website at: www.tsa.gov

Q: What are Permitted and Prohibited Items?

A: Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons - the so-called "dual-use" items.

Q: How early should I arrive at the airport?

A: Check with your airline or travel agent to determine how early to arrive at the airport. Recommended check-in times differ by airline/airport and change during peak travel times.

Q: How should I pack before my flight?

A: There are different restrictions on what you can pack in your carry-on vs. your checked baggage. All of your baggage will be screened and possibly hand-searched as part of the new security measures.

Note: Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of checked baggage. Weight restrictions are 50 pounds if you are flying domestically and 70 pounds if you are flying internationally.

Note: Each passenger is allowed 1 personal item and 1 carry on bag.

Q: What do I need to know if I am a Traveler with a Disability or Medical Condition?

A: In order to assist persons with disabilities or medical concerns, TSA has developed guidelines with input from various groups and have trained our airport screeners in the methodology needed to ensure secure and comfortable screening at all Security Checkpoints. Please refer to the Persons with Disabilities & Medical Concerns section of the TSA website.

  Checked Baggage Q's and A's:

Q: Should I lock my luggage?

A: In some cases screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked then TSA will simply open and screen the baggage.

However, if you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open your checked baggage through other means, then the locks may have to be broken.

TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by using a TSA recognized locking mechanism. TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.

Q: Will TSA relock my bag if it is opened for screening?

A: TSA's highly trained screeners will take great care to secure your bag if they need t open it for screening. If your bag has a TSA recognized locking mechanism, and TSA opens your locked bag, they will re-lock the bag after the screening process.

Security Checkpoints Q's and A's:

Q: What should I expect at the Security Checkpoint?

A: The Passenger Security Checkpoint includes three (3) primary steps you may want to become familiar with. Step 1 is the X-ray machine. Step 2 is the Walk-through metal detector and Step 3 is Secondary Screening. Please refer to the TSA website under Passenger Security Checkpoints for more information.

Q: What documents are needed to pass through a Security Checkpoint?

A: You will need Identification and at most airports, a boarding pass to pass through a Security Checkpoint. For more details on Identification and how to obtain a boarding pass, please see Access Requirements for more information.

Q: What may happen to me if I bring a prohibited item to a security checkpoint?

A: If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted or at the least asked to rid yourself of the item. Please refer to the TSA website List of Permitted & Prohibited Items for more information.

Q: What may happen to my prohibited item at the security checkpoint?

A: Some Prohibited Items may be detained for use in an investigation and if necessary as evidence in your criminal and/or civil prosecution. Others may be surrendered as detailed in the TSA list of Permitted & Prohibited Items on the website.

Q: Can I access the gate area if I am not a passenger?

A: Yes. There are instances where it will be necessary to accompany a passenger through the Security Checkpoint. Instances of this can be found on the Access Requirements web page. However ticketed and screened passengers are normally the only people allowed in the gate areas.