Posted on: Wednesday, October 3, 2001

The September 11th attack
National Guard deployed to airport

Advertiser Staff

Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday he will activate about 145 National Guard members to provide additional security at the state's airports.

The governor said he hopes the call-up of the civilian soldiers can be rotated so that the burden of going to active duty won't fall on a single group of soldiers.

It will be a hardship for many because they likely are paid more at their civilian jobs than what they will receive in active-duty pay, he said.

"You may be making $5,000 a month, and if you get activated and you are a private, you make $400 a month, so it's a very, very tough situation," Cayetano said. "We hope the employers will be understanding."

The Hawai'i call-up, first announced Friday, is in response to President Bush's call for the National Guard to provide additional security until the federal government takes over aviation security.