Question : Starting in February, the Transportation Security Administration says it will let airline passengers who don’t have acceptable ID pay $45 to use a “modernized alternative identity verification system” to confirm their identity so they can board the plane. The TSA says the screening process will differ from airport to airport. What will be in Honolulu airport?
Answer: The federal agency has not yet explained the exact process for the new program, called TSA ConfirmID, at any airport, and a spokesperson for the Hawaii Department of Transportation said the DOT expects more information from the TSA about how TSA ConfirmID will be implemented at Hawaii airports with TSA operations. However, it is clear from TSA’s announcement in the Federal Register that this will be a technology-enabled alternative that uses the passenger’s biographical and/or biometric data to verify identity.
In general, biographical information includes details such as name, date of birth, address, contact information and Social Security number, while biometrics may include facial recognition scans, fingerprints and iris scans. The TSA already uses facial scans at some airports, although passengers can opt out. Read more about TSA’s use of biometrics at.
TSA ConfirmID will be for passengers who do not have a federally compliant ID, such as a US passport or Hawaii driver’s license REAL ID (gold-star ) or state ID, which as of May 7 has been required of adults to board US commercial aircraft. The vast majority of passengers have an acceptable form of ID, but the few who don’t can’t take up staff time at busy airport security checkpoints, as they must go through additional screening, for which they’re not charged—that’s changing in February, according to the TSA.
“All travelers without an acceptable ID, including those presenting a non-REAL ID compliant driver’s license or state ID, will be referred to the optional TSA ConfirmID process for identity verification at TSA check-in and before entering the security line. This process will vary from airport to airport, and TSA is working with private industry to proactively offer online payment options prior to arrival at the airport,” TSA said. passengers who do not have an acceptable ID who “still want to fly.”
The TSA website () says that once ConfirmID is launched, a passenger who does not have an acceptable ID will go to the TSA website to access ConfirmID, follow the instructions to verify their identity and pay the fee, which will be good for a 10-day travel period. “The identification process takes an average of 10-15 minutes; however, it can take 30 minutes or more,” the website says.
The agency continues to encourage all eligible passengers to obtain a federally compliant ID, which is more cost-effective than the ConfirmID process. A US passport, for example, is good for 10 years, while a Hawaii driver’s license or state ID is good for eight years, for adults 25 to 71 at the time they apply.
Q: Regarding the SNAP restriction that goes into effect on August 1st, what will count as soft drinks?
A: As of that date, SNAP beneficiaries will not be able to use their EBT cards to purchase soft drinks, which are defined in Hawaii’s waiver with the federal government as “any non-alcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water and is sweetened with more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. ‘Soft drinks’ do not include beverages that contain, milk or other rice products, milk or other milk substitutes. is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by volume.”
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Taxpayer-funded benefits are loaded monthly onto participants’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which they use as debit cards to buy groceries.
Mahalo A big Mahalo to the Water Supply Board workers who take good care of the Carlos Long Street station in Palolo. The grass, kukui nut trees and sidewalks are always so well trimmed. Thanks for the great work.—Sincerely, Carlos Long resident————Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email.————