Hawaii soldiers reacted with a mixture of shock and sadness as news of the shooting spree at Fort Hood unfolded yesterday, and some thought that it could just as easily happen here.

In Wahiawä yesterday, soldiers were repeatedly checking for news updates about the shooting rampage that killed 12 people and wounded 31 others.

At Molly's Smokehouse on Kamehameha Highway, the shooting was the chief topic of conversation, said Molly Walker, the restaurant's owner. Televisions pumped out news on the shooting all afternoon at KC's Barber Style and Shiatsu Shop on Wilikina Drive.

"Everybody I talked to today was pretty shocked," said Army Pvt. David Schutt at the El'Gant Alterations shop. "We've been working all day and people have been on their phones. Something like this can happen anywhere."

While waiting for their turn in the barber chairs, soldiers texted and watched headline news as images of the alleged shooter, Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan, a psychiatrist, flashed on the television.

"I have two friends who went there just last week," said Spc. Terrell Johnson. "I talked to them. They're safe."

At the El'Gant Alterations shop, Pfc. Sergio Cano, who was dropping off his uniforms for cleaning said, "There is no reason to kill another soldier if you are a soldier. That's like killing one of your own. Like killing one of your own family."

Schofield Barracks officials said the post security threat level was not increased due to the shootings at Fort Hood.

"The safety of our personnel and their families is always forefront in our minds and actions," said U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii commander Col. Matthew Margotta in a prepared statement. "As a matter of Army policy, we do not publicly discuss installation security measures or threats."

Because of the concern for the emotional well-being of the soldiers and their families, local Army chaplains and military and life consultants were standing by to provide aid, the Army said.

The U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith, which sets the minimum "force protection" condition levels for Hawaii and the Asia and Pacific theater, said the threat level remains at "Alpha," near the low end on a scale that includes "Normal," "Alpha," "Bravo," "Charlie" and "Delta."

"Normal" applies when there is no credible threat of terrorist activity, and requires only a routine security posture.

"Alpha" applies when there is a "general threat" possible against personnel and/or installations — the nature and extent of which is unpredictable.

Most military installations in Hawaii have been at force protection level Alpha for many months.

"No change has been made," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chuck Bell, a spokesman for U.S. Pacific Command. "We're always paying attention to what's going on throughout the (region). I can't predict whether or not anything would change."

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Pentagon ordered military bases nationwide to the highest terrorist threat security alert, Delta, a level of caution not seen in the Pacific since the 1990 Gulf War.

Men and women yesterday questioned why someone would shoot up a military base.

Waiting his turn at the barber shop, Master Sgt. Marlon Cooper said that soldiers are just like civilians with the same stresses and pressures.

"We go to work just like everyone else and we have the same human feelings and stresses," Cooper said. "You can't really understand why someone does something like this. Just because you wear a uniform doesn't mean you're not human. You don't have a big S on your chest like Superman."

Parrish Fitts, a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard's 29th Infantry Bri- gade, served a tour in Iraq and three months at Fort Hood in 2008. Fitts said his first question was if the officer suspected in the shooting had emotional issues following a deployment.

"Stuff can happen anywhere," Fitts said.