Terror fight steps
up in islesOfficials say the state’s fame
as a tourist site makes
it vulnerable
Federal and local law enforcement officials say they have increased their counterterrorism efforts after recent intelligence reports indicated that terrorists could attack America this summer.
Though residents probably will not see the changes, Honolulu FBI Special Agent in Charge Charles Goodwin said more hours and people will be put into investigating possible terrorist vulnerabilities and threats.
Attorney General John Ashcroft and FBI Director Robert Mueller announced yesterday that intelligence sources suggest al-Qaida will attempt an attack on the United States over the next few months.
Goodwin said local FBI agents are going to be "interviewing a lot of people," from local business owners to others within the community, in hopes of getting wind of any possible terrorist threats or suspicious activity.
"Rest assured, we're working hard to make sure nothing happens," Goodwin said. "We're following up on every credible lead that we get and every tip."
There's been no specific threat made against Hawaii, Goodwin stressed in a news conference yesterday.
But he also said the state's notoriety as a tourist destination and its proximity to the Philippines, where al-Qaida has been reported to be active, could increase its chances of becoming a target.
"Everybody knows," he said, "the strategic importance of Honolulu and this state."
Gov. Linda Lingle had a different interpretation of the national warning, however. She said yesterday that rather than keeping visitors away from Hawaii, she believes the latest terrorism intelligence will steer more people to the islands. Lingle said she thinks people will come to Hawaii to avoid cities hosting large events.
"While you hate to benefit from something like an increase in this kind of information on the mainland," she said, "it probably will play to Hawaii's benefit because people will continue to see us as a safe place, a good place to go on vacation."
Goodwin said major events that draw big crowds and have some significance seem to be most at risk for an attack.
Locally, the Independence Day reflagging and inaugural sailing of the Pride of Aloha cruise ship are being treated as possible targets.
Security for the events will be tight and provided by both federal and local law enforcement.
"We will have increased patrols ... for that event," said Coast Guard Capt. Tim Skuby. "We will monitor that and conduct random (searches) throughout the port."
FBI and Honolulu police officials said well-attended sporting events, including the Pro Bowl, also will be considered possible high-risk venues.
Skuby said he has increased the vigilance of his crews and stepped up random water patrols since the release of the recent terrorism intelligence reports.
"Awareness is obviously up," he said.
The Honolulu Police Department also is responding to the new information. Assistant Police Chief Boisse Correa said internal changes stemming from the reports' release include streamlining the way in which potential terrorist threats are distributed to beat officers.
"We don't have to panic," he said, "but at the same time we have to be aware."
Goodwin said there are a number of "gaps in intelligence" locally, and he made it clear his agency would welcome any information gathered by residents.
"We really need the eyes and ears of the American public," he said. "We want the American people to help."
Goodwin said the FBI's Honolulu office has investigated information about a possible local threat since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but found it not to be credible. He declined to detail the incident, but said it was within the last 12 months and the person under investigation eventually was deported.
Despite the recent intelligence reports, there are no immediate plans to raise the state's alert level from its current yellow status on the nation's color-coded system.
Lingle raised the state's alert level to orange for the first and only time in December after the national alert status was raised in response to reports of the possibility of attacks against the United States around the winter holidays.
Star-Bulletin reporter Nelson Daranciang contributed to this report.
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What do you think?
Hawaii folks react to terror alert
Do you intend to change your travel plans for this summer after U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's announcement of al-Qaida's plans for a major attack in the United States?
Verna Sukumaran
Age: 40
Home: Kailua
Job: Hawaiian Airlines
"No, by doing that you're telling them you give up and you let them win. That's exactly what they want."
Susan Foster
Age: 56
Home: Ewa
Job: Halawa Correctional Facility cook
"No. Like after 9/11, we had plans in October to go to Disney World in Florida. We didn't change our plans then. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. Why should we walk on pins and needles?"
Mark Zenger
Age: 47
Home: Kauai
Job: Attorney, Richards and Zenger
"No. I don't believe they have the ability to attack us because if they come here, we'll stop them and we'll crush them. That's why they attack soft targets and foreign countries who don't have the resources we do."
Darrell Kamelamela
Age: 45
Home: Pearl City
Job: Ko Olina Resort
"Not really. I'll be just a little more careful. Why change our plans? I'll do the same thing I do every day. Everything is all settled so I don't think I would change my plans."
Stephanie Ching
Age: 44
Home: Mililani
Job: Co-owner, Novel-T World
"It's there on the back of my mind. If it scares people enough, it accomplishes their goal. I'll just continue along ... but I might change my mind if the alert level goes way up. I'd rearrange plans for a later time."
Asked in Kakaako by Laurie Au, Star-Bulletin