Thousands of bewildered flyers gathered at Honolulu International Airport last night at the overseas terminal, trying to get checked in and through a single security checkpoint for flights whose departure was not certain.

United Airlines check-in counters were not operational at about 8 p.m. and about 500 passengers sat quietly or laid on the floor next to their bags.

More than 1,000 passengers attempting to fly out snaked through Lobby 7 next door in long lines at Northwest, Continental and American.

Lobby 6 was still without power.

A TSA rpresentative walked through the long lines at Lobby 7 telling passengers, "Everyone take off your belts, they are hand-wanding everyone."

State Department of Transportation Director Brennon Morioka said at 9:30 p.m. that most of the airport was operating. Delta, Northwest, Continental and American airlines were operating, as were interisland flights. Four of the airport's five emergency generators were providing power, he said.