Keep your Slippahs on! TSA Ends “Shoes-Off” Policy.
Aloha Hawaii Travelers,
On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security officially ended the nearly 20-year rule requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. This rule was first put in place after the 2001 shoe bomb attempt and has become one of the most recognizable parts of the airport security process, until now. Here is the press release from the Department of Homeland Security.
Effective date and rollout:
The new rule began nationwide on July 8, 2025.
It's now active at all U.S. airports, including those in Hawaii.
Travelers will only be asked to remove shoes if additional screening is required, for example, if a shoe triggers an alarm.
How this compares to TSA PreCheck:
In the past, TSA PreCheck allowed travelers to keep their shoes on, along with belts and jackets, and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
With this update, all travelers now enjoy the shoes-on benefit, regardless of PreCheck status.
However, TSA PreCheck still offers value by reducing wait times and providing additional convenience.
Why now?
New scanning technology including next-gen body scanners and shoe-detection systems now allows TSA agents to detect threats without requiring travelers to remove footwear.
The move also comes as U.S. airports experience record-breaking travel volume, with over 3 million passengers screened in a single day.
Homeland Security says the change will help reduce wait times without compromising safety.
🧭 What It Means for Hawaii Travelers
1. A more relaxed airport experience across the islands
Travelers flying from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, the Big Island, or returning home from the mainland will no longer have to untie sneakers or walk barefoot through TSA. It’s a small change that will make a big difference — especially for local families with kids or kupuna.
2. Same policy for inter-island and mainland flights
Whether you're flying to Los Angeles or just hopping over to Maui, the new policy applies across the board. All Hawaii airports — including HNL (Honolulu), OGG (Kahului), LIH (Lihue), and KOA (Kona) — are included.
3. Shoes may still be removed during additional checks
If your shoes set off an alarm or if you're selected for extra screening, TSA may still ask you to remove them. But this is expected to be rare.
4. TSA PreCheck still offers extra benefits
Now that keeping your shoes on is a standard feature, you might be wondering if PreCheck is still worth it. The answer is yes — PreCheck still lets you breeze through with your jacket and belt on, laptops and liquids in your bag, and shorter security lines. For frequent travelers from Hawaii, it’s still a good investment, especially if you have Global entry as a credit card perk,
✅ TSA Tips for Hawaii Travelers
• Arrive early
Even though this change saves time, Hawaii airports can still get busy. Arriving 2 hours early for inter-island flights and 3 hours for mainland or international travel is still a good rule of thumb.
• Be ready for exceptions
Although most people won’t need to remove shoes, TSA agents can still request it when necessary — especially if you’re wearing unusual footwear or your shoes trigger the scanner.
• Don’t forget other security rules
You’ll still need to follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, remove laptops unless you have PreCheck, and have a valid ID (Real ID begins enforcement in May 2025).
So next time you head to the airport from Honolulu, Maui, or any of our neighbor islands, leave your slippahs on and enjoy a smoother start to your adventure, no more TSA shoe shuffle. Have questions about flying from Hawaii or TSA PreCheck? Drop them in the comments.
Mahalo,
Scottie,
