The U.S. Coast Guard stepped up its enforcement Thursday at Ala Wai Harbor and outside Honolulu Airport. It’s just one of the agencies beefing up its security presence for the APEC summit.
Identification checks were in full effect at the Hawaii Convention Center where armed soldiers and Humvees lined up nearby. There was a definite increase in security at the Hawaii Convention Center Thursday.
"I feel kind of scared intimidated or something," said Robert Mattos. He says the sight of armed soldiers, Humvees, HPD officers and canine units certainly grabbed his attention. "I understand that but I haven’t experienced this you know what I mean, local we haven’t had this much security around all over the place. It’s just like you waiting for you to do something wrong. It’s not our Hawaii, it’s not what I’m used to."
KHON2 viewer Douglass Crum snapped a few photos of road blocks. Many Waikiki residents welcome the tight security.
"Yes I think it’s great we’re probably the most protected place in the United States," said Jeannie Wokasch.
Meantime, the federal security zone in the Ala Wai Canal which extends 15 yards east of the McCully Bridge, went into effect at noon and will continue until 11 p.m. Sunday, November 13th.
Three watch towers were put into place to monitor the harbor and outside the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
"We have actually been pounding the piers and meeting with folks in the community so that they know how it’s going to be affected," said Capt. Joanna Nunan of the U.S. Coast Guard.
"I can realize that because the convention center is right up the canal I can see them blocking this off," said Mattos.
"You get a lot of traffic like but we got to take we got to give," said a Waikiki boater. "As long as it’s bringing business into the island I’m for it."
The Honolulu International Airport zone went into effect at 7 a.m and will continue through 11 p.m. Wednesday, November 16.
"We have a standing security zone in Honolulu harbor where commercial vessels need to request permission to come into the port," said Nunan.
Federal security zones will expand off Waikiki Saturday night at 11 p.m. and continue for 24 hours. Restrictions off Ko Olina will be in effect for 24 hours beginning at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
"Now I realize what the people of Iraq feel like with all the military around and everything," said Mattos. "It’s just like a different Hawaii."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
