Posted at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 07, 2001

Huge police force in place as ADB meeting begins

Advertiser Staff

It was a typical Monday except for the presence of extra security today from Ala Moana Shopping Center to the Hawai'i Convention Center, site of this week's Asian Development Bank conference.

Barricades, police and uniformed security officers were visible around the convention center this morning, but traffic was normal and no protesters were in sight. About 50 people, including kupuna from various islands, prayed outside the center at midmorning.

Two police officers were stationed at the Atkinson entrance to Ala Moana Center. About 100 officers were on duty from Ala Moana Park to the center.

Honolulu police officers were at the convention center dressed in aloha attire. "We're just making sure we don't have any problems, and we don't expect any problems," said Detective James Anderson.

Ala Moana Park will be closed to vehicles through Saturday. The 'ewa end is being used by police as a security staging area.