Some 56 suspected drunken drivers slated for widespread online humiliation under a new Honolulu Police Department pilot program found themselves the beneficiaries of an unintended break when browser compatibility issues severely limited the number of people able to properly see a section of the HPD Web site.

HPD kicked off its new initiative to address drunken driving on Wednesday by posting the photos of drivers arrested and charged with driving while under the influence of an intoxicant on the HPD Web site, www.honolulupd.org.

Photos of 56 people charged with drunken driving over the previous week were posted to the site, but administrators quickly discovered that the photos could only be seen by those using Internet Explorer as their Web browser.

Visitors using Safari, Firefox or other browsers are only able to see the introductory text that accompanies the photos.

HPD spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter said technicians are addressing the problem but it was not known how soon the site would be fully operational.

Maj. Thomas Nitta, head of HPD's traffic division, earlier said that the program is not intended to embarrass drunken drivers but rather to use public record to raise awareness.

However, critics contend that such programs have not been proven to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence.

The American Civil Liberties Union has also said that the program could violate the constitutional right to due process by posting photos of people who have not yet been convicted of a crime.

Under the HPD program, the names and photos of those charged with driving under the influence during the previous week will be posted on the Police Department's Web site each Wed- nesday and will remain accessible for 24 hours.

On average, 80 to 90 drivers a week on O'ahu are charged with driving under the influence, according to Nitta.

Results of the program will be evaluated after six months.