The State of Hawaii announced that it has rolled out the third phase of their project, which combines facial biometrics with thermal screening at Hawaii airports. The state did this in conjunction with technology partner NEC. Now you may get more than a lei greeting on arrival.
Announced in August 2020, the latest phase included installing biometric facial imaging technology so that airport officials can identify then notify passengers who have higher than normal body temperatures.
A couple of observations. First, we’ve experienced thermal screening for years, going back to the SARS days. But this is new technology incorporating cameras. Also, it comes as you exit the plane, which is great. But what about the fact that the person pulled aside with an elevated temperature was sitting with scores of passengers for more than five hours?
NEC said that the images aren’t associated with personal or identifiable information, that they are being deleted within 30 minutes, and are not shared with any other agency.
Governor David Ige said, “Hawaii continues to implement proactive measures in response to the pandemic, and this is one part of a multi-layered process designed to protect the health and safety of the community by helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, utilizing technology like the thermal temperature screening and facial imaging equipment will also add efficiency to the passenger verification process and bring Hawaii closer to reaching the new normal at our airports.”
The systems went into operation at the five Hawaii airports which receive trans-Pacific flights earlier this year. The technology is expected to be far more effective than performing manual temperature checks.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division said it will now be able to determine which passengers have a detected elevated core body temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher, a common symptom of COVID-19.
Thermal screening cameras are now installed at all arrival gates. Passengers with elevated temperatures will have their photos taken. That image is available for airport personnel to identify and contact the person within the airport terminal. If a second check confirms the heightened temperature reading, the passenger will undergo additional screenings.
The anonymity of images.
Images collected are to be in no way connected with any personal information, including name, address, identification, etc. Those without elevated temperatures will not have any images taken.
ACLU not so sure.
When this was announced last year, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii suggested the program “hit the brakes.” They are concerned about the potential for abuse of the collected information.
At that time, the ACLU Hawaii said, “While we understand the urgent need to fight the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen Hawaii’s economy, indiscriminate and rushed use of FRT—particularly without adequate regulations, transparency, and public discussion—is ineffective, unnecessary, rife for abuse, expensive, potentially unconstitutional, and, in a word, ‘terrifying.'”
Image courtesy of NEC.
This is definitely a civil rights violation/tyranny of hawaii govt. they need to be held accountable and this tech disabled immediately
Question for anyone who’s traveled AA from DFW to Hilo via Honolulu with plane change to Hawaiian Airlines in Honolulu. Does the “within 72 hours of departing on the last leg of their trip to Hawaii” apply to departing DFW for Hilo or departing Honolulu for Hilo? Any issue changing terminals?
Also, any issues for anyone using CareNow for pre-testing? Thanks so much!
Hi Connie.
It is within 72 hours of the flight from DFW to Honolulu.
Aloha.
Thank you BOH!
Us pre-menopausal women are screwed! 🔥
The ACLU has a penchant for histrionics, one of the reasons that their messaging is shrugged off as extreme sometimes. Considering the history of Europeans having gifted Hawai’ians with fatal diseases in the 18th century, nearly wiping out Polynesian life & culture, I accept Gov. Ige’s take, and would ignore the Civil Liberties Union in this instance.
Hi Beat of Hawaii
Just wanted to give a heads up about traveling to Hawaii and the safe travels program. We received out negative test back from a qualified provider (Kaiser). When we uploaded it – safe travels stated it would not accept it. We have used this system back in October. Thankfully we received early this morning because it took 1/2 day to get through to someone with safe travels. They are having an issue with the app. Not a good feeling at all. Just a HEADS UP for travelers.
I (a fully vaccinated RN) travelled to Puerto Vallarta at the end of April and was greeted by these thermal cameras at the PV airport both upon arrival and departure. I assume that if HI is going to use them, that there will also be rapid COVID testing set up at the airport to test passengers with a fever, as pathogens other than COVID can cause an increased temperature. (And FYI, I developed a fever 72 hrs after I got home, most likely from a gastrointestinal pathogen I picked up in Mexico–I did more COVID testing and it was negative. I had already been tested for COVID in Mexico 48 hrs before my return flight).
Mahalo
I have no problem with this testing for elevated temperature at all. It’s put into place to protect the majority of people. I don’t see anything sinister about it and I have nothing to hide.
Aloha Guys
Omg!!
Don’t have a hat/cap on. This elevates your temp. Nothing on your head for at least 15 prior to leaving plane.
Tested over 100.4 at location. Had cap on and a light jacket. Had to wait at least 30 minutes before proceeding.
You know how warm it gets in a plane when everyone is deplaning.
Also, the departing tunnel is not cooled. Maybe airlines will leave the cooling air on longer. Ugh!!!