Lingle holds Hawaii alert level at 'blue'

While the nationwide Homeland Security Threat Level was raised to “Orange” — indicating a high risk of terrorist attacks — Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle today announced that the local threat alert would remain at “Blue,” or guarded. Lingle consulted with the state civil defense office and Hawaii Adjutant General Robert Lee, who said they “feel comfortable that Hawai`i should remain at our current security alert status.”

“Hawai`i continues to be on alert and our emergency response team is closely monitoring the national situation as it relates to our state,” Lingle said. “”We will increase our diligence as related to the blue guarded guidelines, and feel that our civil defense team and adjacent organizations are prepared.”

Under the color-coded Hawai`i Homeland Security Advisory System, the blue condition indicates “a general risk of terrorist attack.”

The Hawaii State Civil Defense office, in conjunction with the American Red Cross Hawai`i Chapter, developed a series of guidelines for individuals, families, businesses and organizations for each level of terrorist threat.

The guide can be downloaded from the state civil defense website as a 1.13-megabyte PDF document, or requested by calling 733-4300.