Officials encourage public vigilance
By Scott Ishikawa and Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writers
Day Two of America's second Gulf War brought more of the same for Hawai'i: More security, more lines, more people asked to be alert for anything suspicious.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
State, city and military officials remained on heightened alert, and asked the public to report anything out of the ordinary.
Gerald Quitugua, a U.S. Coast Guard petty officer, mans a machine gun while patrolling Honolulu Harbor. He is among more than 200 reservists called to active duty for two-day-on, two-day-off shifts to help meet security needs.
"Our first concern is still preserving life and property," Police Chief Lee Donohue said. "We ask the public to call us if they see something suspicious. Don't feel it is a frivolous call; we will come."
At Honolulu Harbor, the Coast Guard increased its around-the-clock patrols of the air, sea and land, but said it also needs help from the public.
"There are hundreds of eyes and ears out there," said Coast Guard Commander Thomas Tabrah. "We need them all."
The Coast Guard is using at least seven boats and two helicopters to conduct random searches of the harbor, used by thousands of cargo, cruise, fishing, research and other vessels each year.
"People are our first priority, and the safety and security of our critical infrastructure is next," Tabrah said. "We're on the lookout for anything and everything out of the ordinary."
Harbor patrol crews, including more than 200 reservists recalled to active duty, were working two-day-on, two-day-off shifts to meet the security needs.
"It's been a little hard on my family, but I'm happy to be doing my duty to the people of Hawai'i," said Petty Officer Gerald Quitugua, a 31-year-old Honolulu police officer who was called to Coast Guard active duty in February. He has two 6-year-old sons and a 4-year-old daughter.
"We know the harbor pretty well, and we recognize any ship or anything else that doesn't belong," said Quitugua, as a 41-foot cutter, armed with two M-60 machine guns, swept past Aloha Tower yesterday.
Since Sept. 11, crews have increased inspections and boardings of ships entering and leaving the harbor. Now, the crews are being asked to do even more.
"Every time we step it up a level, that becomes the new normal," said Gretchen Eddy, a fireman E-3 on board the patrol.
At the airport yesterday, some lines were reported as officials conducted random searches of vehicles approaching terminals and parking areas. Most delays were kept to a few extra minutes, but officials continued to ask the public to arrive early for departing and arriving flights.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Off-duty Honolulu firefighters were told to keep their emergency protective equipment at home in case they are recalled to work quickly, said Honolulu Fire spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Security officers Bernard Olblero, right, and Jun Tesoro check inside a vehicle randomly stopped for inspection at Honolulu International Airport. Security at sites across the state was stepped up yesterday as war in Iraq began.
Fire crews are also asked to keep vehicles and trash containers away from station fuel pumps and generators. Deliveries of packages also will be more closely monitored, he said.
The city administration yesterday said visitors attending events at Blaisdell Center and the Waikiki Shell should not bring large carry-ons to the facilities.
The Kamehameha Schools Song Fest and two Honolulu Symphony performances are scheduled for this weekend at the Blaisdell Center and Concert Hall. A "Bomb Bucha 2003" concert is set for tomorrow at the Waikiki Shell.
Visitors are asked to leave backpacks, briefcases, handbags or other personal carrying containers larger than clutch purses or fanny packs at home.
City officials said those items, along with diaper bags, tote bags, coolers or carrying containers will be searched before entry. Individuals without large hand-carried items will be allowed to enter through faster lines.
The Waikiki Shell rule prohibiting coolers longer than 18 inches is still in effect, city officials said.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
State and O'ahu civil defense offices continued around-the-clock monitoring of the war situation. Reduced staff was planned for both offices overnight. And while National Guard troops have been deployed in other states as part of homeland defense, there has been no request for additional security here, said Maj. Charles Anthony, state Department of Defense spokesman.
A security officer stops a car for a random check at an entrance to Honolulu International Airport.
Anthony added that a lot of the changes are not going to be readily visible to the general public at this particular stage, "but they are occurring."
"We're ready to go if needed," said O'ahu Civil Defense spokesman John Cummings, who noted that the agency's operations center at the municipal building underwent $100,000 in renovations after the Sept. 11 attacks. The Civil Defense improvements include several TV screens, 19 computer work stations for representatives of police, fire and civil defense, and a giant "SMART" interactive white board that can project maps, graphs and other important data to the individual computer stations.
On Kaua'i, Mayor Bryan Baptiste suspended non-critical county travel and urged residents to prepare for any economic effect of the Iraq situation, but he said it is too early to predict specific effects.
"As far as our economy is concerned, there are sure to be negative impacts. The length or duration of the war will dictate the strategy necessary for recovery," he said.
Advertiser Staff Writers Mike Gordon and Jan TenBruggencate contributed to this report.
