STAR-BULLETIN / JANUARY 2002 The observation deck of the Aloha Tower will reopen next month.

More secure Aloha Tower
gets set for next
month’s reopening

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Star-Bulletin staff

Threats to New York landmarks are not deterring plans to reopen one of Honolulu's most famous sites -- Aloha Tower -- sometime next month.

The observation deck on the 10th floor of Aloha Tower has been closed to the public since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Obviously this is a very popular tourist attraction and we would like to reopen it as soon as possible," said Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali. "We're taking the security steps necessary to do that."

Initially, state harbor police will have a security checkpoint to screen people before they go up to the observation deck. The state is hiring a private company to take over security beginning July 1, Kali said. That contract needs to be finalized, and an announcement on when the tower will reopen may come next week, Kali said.

The observation deck had been open at nights before Sept. 11, but plans are to open the deck from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.