Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Thursday, October 22, 1998
Kokua Line
After a trip to Singapore, we had a stopover in Taipei. At the duty-free shop there, I bought a couple of packages of beef jerky. But the customs people in Honolulu said they had to confiscate the jerky and just dump it. Why isn't jerky allowed? It's cured meat. Plus, I didn't see any sign saying we couldn't take this back to the United States. Also, I asked for a receipt, and they told me they don't give receipts because they get so many items. How do I know that someone is not just taking the jerky home? Some foreign products
meat with disapprovalAnswer U.S. Customs didn't take your jerky; it was the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection and Quarantine staff.
It was confiscated because it originated in a country where there are concerns about such diseases as hoof-and-mouth disease, salmonella, Newcastle disease, hog cholera, etc., said Hilda Montoya, port director, Honolulu Unit, of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Office at Honolulu Airport.
It doesn't matter if it's dried or cured, because some diseases still may be viable, she said.
Meat or meat products are allowed "only when they have been commercially packaged and labeled, contained in an unopened package and originated in a country free from diseases of concern," Montoya said. If the meat came from a country "free from diseases of concern" and is sealed, it will be allowed into the United States even if it goes through a country that is not. Apparently, that was not so in your case.
Also, Montoya said, "It's up to the person traveling to know what they can bring to and from a foreign country." For starters, you can call her office at 861-8490. In another country, you can also check with U.S. consulates or USDA representatives.
As for receipts, "We never give receipts when you're bringing in prohibited material," Montoya said. "We just don't do that. We confiscate under federal regulations."
The customs declaration form asks people coming from a foreign country if they've been on a farm or if they have any agricultural items -- fresh fruits, vegetables, plant materials or meat.
You indicated you were flagged for an inspection because you properly declared the jerky.
If you are discovered carrying a nondeclared item, you can be fined $50. If that item was hidden in any way, the fine is $100.
To all the people who helped to save a German visitor from drowning on Saturday, Oct. 10. My husband, John, and I were on the beach when I noticed a man floating face down. John ran into the water and turned him over. He had no pulse. We yelled at people to call 911 and for help. I'm a registered nurse, so I did a round of compression. Within minutes all these wonderful people responded: Fletcher from the Hale Koa Hotel concession stand; Greg Laios, Chuck Kamai and Rachel Thompson, from the Hale Koa, immediately applied an oxygen mask and blood pressure cuffs. Security guards from the Hale Koa and Hilton Hawaiian Village responded as well. Very soon, an ambulance paramedic team was on the scene and took him to Straub Hospital. It all happened so fast. I found out later that the man was doing well. I want to commend all the wonderful people who helped save his life. -- Sandy Medvin, Napa, Calif. Mahalo
To the lady in Manoa who didn't want our band to play drums at a football game because her baby was taking a nap. Maybe your baby will grow up to play in a band. She should be aware of sounds around her. -- Disappointed drummer Auwe
On sidewalk near Cutter Ford, Pearl City. Call 525-8686. Keys found
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
