KAHULUI - On Thursday, the state began implementing a new federal security measure at its harbors that requires a special identification card for those who have unescorted access to secure areas of harbor facilities and vessels.
Those affected include employees, truckers, vendors, suppliers and customers who now must have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential card that has a biometric template, including fingerprints.
Cruise ship passengers and interisland ferry passengers will not need the card, because they go through security screening when boarding, the state Department of Transportation has said.
The Transportation Security Administration began enrolling Maui harbor workers for the credential last year. It requires a background security check of the individual seeking to work at or get onto a harbor.
Maui small businesses that frequent the harbors to pick up freight criticized the need for the card last year. Operators said the credential requirement would increase costs of doing business. The card costs $132.50 and is valid for five years.
Heightened security requirements at ports follow passage of the Maritime Transportation Security Act, which followed the terror attacks in September 2001.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported nearly 94 percent of Hawaii port workers already have the card.
On Maui, 161 of 163 workers, or 99 percent, have enrolled, the Coast Guard said. On Molokai the rate was 100 percent (12 of 12 workers); and on Lanai, three of nine workers, or 33 percent, were enrolled as of Wednesday.
An estimated 1 million workers in the maritime transportation industry nationally will be required to obtain the cards, according to the Coast Guard.
For more information, see www.twicinformation.com.
