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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, September 11, 2002

Security presence boosted, but no direct threat here

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Share your thoughts as the country observes the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack

By William Cole and Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writers

Hawai'i military bases, the airport and key facilities will have beefed-up security for today's Sept. 11 anniversary following new nationwide concerns, but officials continue to say the state does not face a specific terrorism threat.

Coast Guard Lt. Clint Trocchio gets into his helicopter at Sand Island. Military bases in Hawai'i have increased their ID checks.

Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We have not gotten any information that tells us there is an increased threat to Hawai'i," said Maj. Chuck Anthony, a spokesman for the state Department of Defense — which includes state Civil Defense.

While the Pentagon went on high alert, military bases here generally adopted a less serious threat condition — "bravo" — and the state Department of Defense did not change its "alpha plus" alert status.

"Alpha" is one step above "normal," conditions.

"All of the reports that we've received from the FBI and all of the organizations that are tied into homeland security indicate that there is no evidence or reports of any kind of terrorism threat to Hawai'i right now," Gov. Ben Cayetano said.

Security will be more visible at Honolulu International Airport, but officials said there will be no additional checkpoints.

On Monday, no additional steps were being taken, but with the higher nationwide alert announced yesterday, Sidney Hayakawa, the federal security director for the airport, said the airport was required to follow the federal guidelines.

Hayakawa said there are no restrictions on flights.

Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said the local threat level of "green," which also is referred to as "alpha" on the state scale of white, green, amber, red and black, indicates a "general" threat of possible terrorist activity.

Unless responding to an alarm, firefighters are asked to stay near their assigned stations and curtail routine fire inspections for the day, Soo said. Fire crews are asked to keep vehicles and trash containers away from station fuel pumps and generators. Deliveries of packages will also be more closely monitored, Soo said.

Even though the state has not increased its terrorism alert, Honolulu Police Assistant Chief Stephen Watarai said uniformed officers will be more visible today. Officials declined to specify locations or facilities that will see an increased police presence.

Hickam Air Force Base spokesman Maj. Stephen Clutter said that "due to increased terrorist threats," people trying to get on base should expect 100 percent ID checks, random security inspections and delays.

The Army and Navy issued similar statements, saying that installations in Hawai'i would increase force protection measures that will remain in effect until further notice.

Aloha Tower remains open to the public with additional security measures that were previously put in place, as does the USS Arizona Memorial. A Sept. 11 memorial service planned for this evening at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is expected to draw more than 2,000 people. Cemetery Director Gene Castagnetti said security will be drawn from "numerous resources throughout the island."

Advertiser staff writers Rod Ohira, Kevin Dayton and Scott Ishikawa contributed to this report.