Man detained after trying to open emergency exits on Hawaiian Airlines flight

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - A man who disrupted a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu was taken into federal custody Wednesday.

The airline says the “unruly passenger” tried to open the plane’s exit doors during the flight. The added that crew members were aided by an off-duty law enforcement officer on the flight in restraining the man.

It happened on flight 3, which took off from LAX with 194 passengers and 11 crew members. The Airbus A330 landed without incident at Honolulu’s airport shortly before 1 p.m.

Former Hawaii resident Keenan Kurihara was on the flight, and among those who jumped into action to stop the man.

“I wrapped my arms around him and I tried to separate him from the door and the flight attendant, and in the process, the flight attendant was hurt because he was so determined to get out, or stay attached to the door handle," Kurihara said.

Hawaiian says the cabin doors are designed so they cannot be opened during the flight.

The investigation is ongoing. No word on if any charges will be filed against the man.