Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division alerts the traveling public of a three-day employee strike by members of the Unite Here Local 5 union which includes food service employees who work at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The employees began the picket line at HNL this morning. It is anticipated to continue for three days with normal operations resuming Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. During this time there is limited service available at the various food and drink establishments throughout the airport which will significantly impact travelers.

HMSHost employs associates in various restaurants at HNL affected by the strike.

All of the stores operated by the Blind Vendors Ohana at HNL, such as Pages & Pages, are open and fully operational offering grab and go food, snacks and beverages.

Passengers may want to consider bringing their own food and snacks with them if they are traveling out of HNL. Be sure to verify if the food is prohibited through the security checkpoints before leaving for the airport. For a list of the food items that are allowed through TSA checkpoints please click here.

Please remember liquids more than 3.4 ounces are prohibited through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. Empty water bottles are allowed and can be filled at the water stations located throughout the airport once you pass through the security checkpoint.

HNL welcomes more than 21.2 million inbound and outbound passengers a year which on average is more than 58,000 people a day. The passenger numbers typically increase by 3-5 percent around holidays such as Christmas. As always, people are advised to check flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport and they should allow enough time to get from curb to gate.

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