Thermal temperature screening equipment is now in use at the Big Island’s two main airports, the state Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.
The equipment is used to help detect passengers with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher. Equipment is currently installed at gates that welcome arriving trans-Pacific flights at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO), as well as at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG), and Kaua’s Lihue Airport (LIH).
“The thermal screening equipment is a positive feature that streamlines the process for people traveling to Hawaii, while also working to keep the community safe by detecting people with a fever,” said Gov. David Ige. “The equipment is a step in the direction of what will be the new normal as we move forward in the COVID-19 era.”
Members of the Hawaii National Guard and state employees have been trained statewide to operate and monitor the equipment, which presents an alert if someone is detected to have a temperature over 100.4 degrees. The method replaces taking temperatures via hand-held thermometers.
Should a person present a temperature higher than 100.4, a Hawaii National Guard member or an airport representative will pull that passenger aside for further evaluation.
American Medical Response paramedics or the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting units stationed at the airport will verify the passenger’s temperature, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). The passenger will be offered a COVID-19 test and the person’s information will be collected to provide to the Department of Health for contact tracing, if necessary.
The installation of equipment at gates that welcome arriving trans-Pacific flights is the first of three phases being implemented by the DOT, NEC Corporation, NEC Corporation of America and their partner, Infrared Cameras Inc. The second phase, to be completed by Aug. 20, includes installing the temperature scanning equipment at all remaining gates. The final phase, which includes facial imaging equipment, should be installed by Dec. 31.
On Tuesday, a total of 3,029 people arrived in Hawaii from out-of-state destinations, including 922 visitors and 979 returning residents, via 34 arriving flights.
That figure includes 250 people who came to Kona International Airport via five flights. Of the 250 people, 13 were crew, three were in transit, 54 were moving to the area, 94 were returning residents and 86 were visitors. None of the arrivals were exempt from the state’s 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Since July 29, 1,185 people have arrived at Kona International Airport via out-of-state flights.
