Hawaii raises
terror levelThe governor’s move means
tighter security at power plants
and water supply stations
Gov. Linda Lingle elevated Hawaii's terror alert level to orange yesterday -- signifying a high threat of terrorist attack -- for the first time since the nation's color-coded system was initiated in March 2002.
Lingle released the news in a press conference at the Capitol yesterday, hours after Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced the federal government would raise its national alert status to orange from yellow based on sources that "suggest the possibility of attacks against the homeland around the holiday season."
Lingle said the decision to heighten Hawaii's alert status was based on a conference call Ridge conducted with the nation's governors yesterday morning in which he said that the number of threats against the nation had substantially increased from previous levels.
"As Gov. Ridge said, the volume of intelligence is greater than any time before 9/11, and we take that very seriously," she said.
"We are taking this action not to alarm, but to reassure the public. Going up to orange means we will be committing more resources to the security of our residents and visitors."
Lingle made it clear yesterday that there has been no "credible threat" made against the state.
However, increased security will be put in place at power plants, water supply stations and other critical infrastructure facilities operated at the state level.
This is the first time the islands have moved to an orange alert, but the state's airports, harbors and ports have been elevated to that level before because they fall under federal jurisdiction.
Most recently, the state's terror alert remained at yellow, or an elevated risk of a terror attack, in May even as the Bush administration took the nation to orange amid fears that a number of terrorist attacks abroad could spread to the United States.
The threat level advisory system uses colors to show the likelihood of a terrorist attack: green for a low risk, blue for a general risk, yellow if the risk is significant, orange for a high risk and red if the risk of an attack on the nation is severe. The Hawaii system has an additional level, black, in the case of a terrorist attack directly on the state.
At Honolulu Airport yesterday afternoon, the heightened security level was already visible as vehicles were being searched and the number of security patrols was increased.
Today, roadblocks will be put up at the airport to randomly screen vehicles, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
Security lines are also expected to lengthen with the increased passenger scrutiny expected of a heightened alert.
"Be patient," Ishikawa advised travelers. "There might be some delays."
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau President John Monahan said he does not think the alert increase will affect the number of holiday travelers to the islands.
"The American people have shown that we're not going to allow the terrorist threat to disrupt things that we love and believe in," he said.
"Although, certainly it makes (travel) a little more difficult to do ... I think since 9/11 we've become used to security."
Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general and Civil Defense director, said at yesterday's press conference that the probability of an attack against Hawaii is low, given the large contingency of military personnel and bases in the islands.
"The pattern of terrorist attacks is they have been going after soft targets," he said.
Monahan agreed. "I think it's the governor just being prudent," he said.
Lingle said she expects to speak to the state's four mayors today about the steps they are taking in response to the increased alert level.
Lingle informed the mayors yesterday morning of her decision to elevate the status.
Maj. Chuck Anthony, state Department of Defense spokesman, said that whenever a terror alert is heightened, "there are specific tasks that critical infrastructure managers must add."
He would not say specifically what those increased security measures were, but said most residents would not notice them.