Ceramic knife found on traveler

May 14, 2023

Apr 28, 2023

A double-edged ceramic knife was found with a traveler twice by TSA officers as the traveler made his way through security screening at Kahului Airport this month. TSA photo

The Maui News

In the past two weeks, Transportation Security Administration officers at Kahului Airport and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu discovered prohibited items concealed on the bodies of travelers during routine screening at security checkpoints.

At 6:45 a.m. April 18 at Kahului Airport, TSA officers were conducting routine X-ray screening of carry-on luggage in the security checkpoint when they spotted what appeared to be a plastic or ceramic knife in a cluttered bag. A subsequent bag search resulted in the discovery of a double-edge, ceramic knife.

The officer gave the traveler who was ticketed on a flight to San Francisco International Airport the option of checking the knife with the airline. The traveler indicated he would do so and left the checkpoint before returning a few minutes later to be rescreened for his flight.

Again the traveler triggered an alarm, this time in their waistband. A targeted pat-down of that area resulted in the discovery of the same ceramic knife.

On April 13 around 4:15 p.m. at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, TSA officers during a routine X-ray screening spotted a club-like item in the carry on bag of a traveler headed to Hilo International Airport.

The officers conducted a bag search which led to the discovery of a collapsible baton. The bag was rescreened and subsequently discovered was a knife concealed in a comb inside the carry-on bag.

The traveler who owned the bag was screened through the body scanner which alarmed on his left leg.

When asked if there was something on his leg, the traveler said there was nothing there. A targeted pat-down of the area revealed a butterfly knife was taped to his leg.

The Hawaii State Sheriffs responded to the safety check oping and cited the passenger on a state charge. All three prohibited items were abandoned to TSA.

"I am proud of the TSA officers throughout Hawaii and the Pacific who take their screening duties seriously, remain focused on their security mission and protect the traveling public every day. Let these two incidents serve as a reminder that TSA is on the lookout for prohibited items that travelers may choose to conceal," said TSA Federal Security Director for Hawaii and the Pacific Nanea Vasta.

TSA will review the circumstances of each incident and levy civil penalties against the travelers.

TSA reminds passengers to be aware of the contents of their carry-on bag prior to coming to the security checkpoint. TSA has multiple resources available to passengers to help them determine whether an item is permitted in carry-on baggage, checked baggage or not at all.

Travelers can use the "Can I Bring" feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message "@AskTSA" if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance daily. Travelers may send a question by texting "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872)

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