Security plans gel for Asian Development Bank meeting
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Federal, state and county resources are being heavily tapped to provide security for the Asian Development Bank meeting in May in what is being described as the largest law-enforcement operation ever in Hawai'i.
"We have to prepare for the worst," said Chief Lee Donohue, who confirmed that his Honolulu Police Department's 1,963 uniformed officers and 475 civilian employees have agreed not to take vacations while the Asian Development Bank meets here. "If it doesn't happen, good."
It's still too early to say how much security and other preparations will cost law enforcement and governmental agencies for the meeting May 9 to 11, but it is expected to be in the millions of dollars and involve thousands of people. Hawai'i hopes to be better prepared than Seattle was.
Two years ago, 40,000 globalization protesters in that city battled with police and National Guard troops on the streets for five days during a World Trade Organization meeting.
Seattle police were criticized for heavy-handed tactics, and the city's police chief lost his job.
"Seattle was a wake-up call to law enforcement in the nation," Donohue said. "I don't think police and the city of Seattle expected the violent protests that erupted because the causes represented by the protesters were understated."
Short notice
Strategic planning and security training for potentially explosive events like the Asian Development Bank meeting normally takes two years, but Hawai'i has had to do it in 10 months, Donohue said.
The Asian Development Bank, established in 1966 and based in Manila, Philippines, had planned to hold its 2001 conference in Seattle, but federal officials changed the site because of the 1999 violence there. Honolulu was selected based on the state's strong bid for the 1999 meeting.
Sixty finance ministers and their entourages from Asian and Pacific nations, many of which are now experiencing internal strife and violence, present a huge security problem.
Despite the late start, officials here say security planning has proceeded remarkably well. State planners traveled to Seattle and also attended last year's Republican and Democratic national conventions in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, respectively, to gather information and formulate a strategy.
"We've received accolades from all the experts who have come here to look at our preparation and planning," said Assistant Police Chief Boisse Correa, commander of security planning and operations for the Asian Development Bank event.
A committee headed by state Public Safety Department Deputy Director Sidney Hayakawa has developed strategies for coverage and response to whatever situations might arise, Correa added. The committee includes the FBI and Secret Service as well as local police and state public safety officers.
National Guard spokesman Capt. Charles Anthony said some individuals and units of the 5,500-member of the Hawai'i Army and Air National Guard will be on standby during the conference, but would not say how many members are involved.
Asian Development Bank representatives have told local officials to expect thousands of protesters, says state Public Safety Director Ted Sakai.
"We're not worried about the peaceful demonstrations, and we expect 95 percent of protests will be peaceful," Correa said. "What concerns us is the other 5 percent. It's a small percentage, but it could offset the larger number."
Mainland security experts like Jeff Beatty, a former Army Delta Force commander and special adviser to the FBI and CIA who founded Total Security Services International, have helped state officials plan.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by Honolulu police and the Hawai'i Tourism Authority last July, Beatty advised state officials to look beyond the price tag of coverage.
He said that for Seattle, the total "costs of getting it wrong" was $85 million to $155 million while the "costs to do it right" would have been $5 million to $15 million.
"Be assured, we're prepared to handle whatever happens," Correa said.
"Our goal," he added, "is to maintain peace and order, protect lives and property, and guarantee — and I stress the word guarantee — everyone's constitutional rights. We're committed to having a well-disciplined, well-trained, tolerant and controlled police presence."
Details kept under wraps
Officials have been reluctant to reveal details because any security breach could compromise the sensitive operation.
Terrorism, for example, is one area being covered.
"We always have to be concerned about terrorist activity," Sakai said, "because terrorists can strike in all kinds of ways — gas, bombs, even cyberterrorism."
Access to some public areas will be blocked, possibly on short notice, Correa said.
"There will be disruptions," Correa said. "Some roads will be blocked and detours set up. But whatever happens will be for a purpose. Everything depends on what the demonstrators do and want.
"This is the biggest operation the state and police have been involved in since Y2K. There is a need here for confidentiality. It's for the protection of officers and the public's safety."
Part of the planning activity involves notifying groups that may be affected by any closures.
"The impression some people are getting is that the city is closing all the parks and access to get to beaches," Correa said. "Some areas of parks will be used for security, but we're looking at the minimum amount of space that is necessary.
"We went out to talk to groups, like the canoe people, to tell ahead of time that if you want to go to a certain place, it might not be possible. We want them to know they might be affected, so they can plan for options."
Any groups planning to protest will need to apply for a city permit, Correa says.
"I don't know of any groups that have been turned down," he said. "I know of only one group that has filed for a permit so far."
Police received $525,000 from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority earlier this month to buy security equipment such as riot gear. The training and new equipment are long-term benefits for the department, Donohue said.
"In 1998, one question I had was whether we were prepared to handle a mass civil disturbance," Donohue said. "I began looking at our needs because it could happen at the Pro Bowl or a major concert event. This has been part of the evolution of the plan we have been working on."
The chief added that the Asian Bank Development event will not disrupt routine police services. "Our planning involves equity for policing on the island, not only at the convention," he said.
A prolonged strike involving public school teachers on O'ahu would affect 8,694 teachers at 168 public schools attended by 123,859 students, according to the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, and would require police presence at picket lines.
"Any demonstrations would cause a strain on resources," Correa said. "Basically, it depends on whether the demonstrations are peaceful or not as to whether we have to divert resources."
