Baggage claim to get more security
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Security will be stepped up at baggage claim areas at Honolulu International Airport, an official said yesterday, after an incident Sunday in which a 26-year-old man rammed a car through the doors of the interisland baggage claim area.
Details of the increased security will not be released, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa. The option of placing concrete barriers in front of doors is under discussion, he said.
"After we had the Kahului airport SUV incident (in 2004) we put up barriers along the curb and it caused a lot of problems with accessibility, especially for wheelchair users," Ishikawa said. "We feel it is an isolated incident and I think we've done everything we can do to prevent terrorism. When you have someone that is unstable or seeking attention it is a little difficult. We're trying to find a balance between security and accessibility."
Michael Abella was arrested for investigation of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant and not having proof of insurance. Charges are pending in the airport incident, and Abella was released yesterday after posting $975 bail for a previous charge of driving without a license, officials said.
His case has been continued until Nov. 8.
Abella tested negative for alcohol, but officials suspect he was on drugs.
"Our observations were that he was under some sort of nervous system stimulant," state Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike Gaede said.
Toxicological results were expected within a week.
Abella drove over a wheelchair ramp, through double electronic doors and into a baggage claim area before he was stopped by security guards.
In February 2004 Kahului Airport was closed for a day because of an SUV fire in the open-air ticket lobby. Paul S. Blatchley, 52, of Maui was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway also ordered Blatchley to pay $5,454 for damage to the airport.
His lawyer said Blatchley intended to kill himself and not harm anyone else.
In 2003 a Kaua'i man threatened an airport security officer and fired two gunshots at the Lihu'e Airport in the Hawaiian Airlines baggage area.
Lloyd Albino, 24, of Kapa'a, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@hono luluadvertiser.com or 535-8110.Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
