Subject: Honolulu Airport Security: detention 
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 12:15:10 -1000 
From: joel(at)nitwit.com 
To: office@acluhawaii.org 

On Sunday, Sept 16, while traveling by air from Seattle to Hilo HI, 
my digital camera was confiscated and I was "detained" by the airport 
private security force (AKAL Security), at the Honolulu Interisland 
Terminal, for almost three hours. 

My "offense" was taking a photograph of a National Guard soldier in 
the interisland terminal. Complete details of the incident can be 
found at: http://www.nitwit.com/security.html 

There was never any attempt to abuse, search, or intimidate me, nor 
was I held "incommunicado" (I was able to use my cell phone, on 
request). All security personnel involved were cordial and courteous. 

However I was held under armed guard, my camera was confiscated, and 
I nearly missed the last connection (that day) to my home on the 
Big Island. 

I have no desire to initiate any litigation concerning this event, 
however I am concerned about it as a possible indicator, that our 
courts and legislators might (in this immediate security crisis) 
move toward further restrictions of our legal and constitutional 
rights. 

If there is anything that I can do, to help alert the public and 
our legislators, to the dangers of such precipitous reaction, then 
I feel duty bound, as an American, to do so. 

I am passing this information along to you, in case you might find 
it somehow useful in your efforts to protect our individual rights 
and freedoms. Please feel free to contact me, if you desire any 
further information. 

Thanks & Aloha- 
Joel Aycock