The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has informed travelers that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has suspended Global Entry for international arrivals due to the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. Passengers arriving from abroad should expect to use standard inspection processing, while TSA PreCheck remains available for those departing on approved flights.
HDOT stated that it expects minimal impact on processing times for international arrivals at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The department has recently modernized its federal inspection facilities and introduced new technologies aimed at improving passenger flow and operational efficiency. One such upgrade is the Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) system, developed in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which uses biometric facial comparison technology to verify identities and speed up processing without compromising security.
“While we recognize that temporary changes to federal trusted traveler programs may create uncertainty for some passengers, we are in active discussions with our CBP partners to address any potential disruptions to international travel,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen. “HDOT remains committed to ensuring a secure and welcoming arrival experience. As always, we encourage travelers arriving at HNL to take advantage of Mobile Passport Control to help expedite their entry process.”
Travelers are encouraged by HDOT to use Mobile Passport Control (MPC), a free app allowing eligible passengers to submit passport information and customs declarations before arrival. MPC users can access dedicated lanes, often resulting in shorter wait times.
HDOT continues close coordination with CBP and other federal agencies to maintain smooth operations at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation manages a network of transportation facilities across all six major Hawaiian islands, including 11 commercial service airports, four general aviation airports, nine commercial harbors, and more than 2,400 lane miles of highways (official website). The department operates as part of the executive branch of the State of Hawaii government (official website) and works alongside agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Coast Guard (official website). Its mission is to provide a safe, efficient, accessible, and sustainable transportation system that supports mobility and economic growth throughout the state (official website).