By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin

Traffic backed up at Pearl Harbor's Nimitz Gate today
after security was tightened at U.S. military installations
in the Asia-Pacific region to prevent possible retaliation
by international terrorists.

---

Military bases here
tighten security levels

By Gregg K. Kakesako
And Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

The increased security precautions prompted by the U.S. strikes against Afghanistan and Sudan caused traffic backlogs at the entrances to Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base this morning.

Every vehicle and person entering Hawaii's Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps bases had to show proper decals and photo identification.

Lt. Cmdr. Rod Gibbons, Pearl Harbor spokesman, said the word was sent out yesterday to the more than 4,000 people who work at Pearl Harbor that "there would be increased security at the gates and that everyone should plan for extra time."

Gibbons said it normally takes him just 10 minutes to drive to work, but this morning the same drive took nearly 25 minutes.

1st Lt. Amy Sufak, Hickam spokeswoman, said workers there have been "pretty understanding" over the delay, and no complaints were registered over the enhanced security precautions.

At both Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter, which normally don't have gate guards during the day, "random spot checks" were being done by roving Army military police units. However, guards will be posted at night.

At Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, spokesman Aaron Martin said it was business as usual, with the only difference probably being the check for military identification and "increased awareness."

"Due to worldwide events, the U.S. Pacific Command has increased its vigilance and awareness at all U.S. military installations in the Asia-Pacific region," said Lt. Col Kevin Krejcarek, a spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Command, yesterday. "This is a prudent measure for the safety of our people and to protect our installations."

Those bases includes sites in Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Guam. The United States also has shared use of bases in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, Krejcarek said.

Meanwhile, news of yesterday morning's strike did not affect the already tight security at the state's airports, said Airports Administrator Jerry Matsuda.

Matsuda said the Federal Aviation Administration has kept him informed but has not raised the security at Hawaii airports, which have been at a Level 3 status for the past few years. Among the most noticeable actions at that level are frequent bag checks and strict enforcement of passenger-loading areas at the street level of the airport.

Level 4 would be the highest security status, he said.

Matsuda said the intelligence the state receives from the FAA security office is good, with the information coordinated with the military as well as agencies in Washington, D.C.

"So it is quite current, and we foresee at this time that there is no threat of terrorism in the state of Hawaii," Matsuda said. "Travelers should feel very safe."

FAA regional spokesman Tom Rea added there's been no word of any passenger delays at any of the nation's airports.

Meanwhile, security at the federal building in Honolulu continues to be tough, said Ann Kent of the U.S. Marshals Service. Kent said the building usually operates at a high security level and, for now, is unaffected by the U.S. action.

"The important thing for us is to make sure that the things we are doing are being done and are being done right," Kent said. "We always feel fairly safe here in Hawaii, but there is a need to be attentive to it, and we are."