The City Council has given final approval to the installation of 34 security cameras across key sections of Oahu in preparation for the arrival of 21 world leaders and their entourages for this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative summit in Waikiki in November.

Council members voted 8-1 today to approve the use of the cameras. Councilman Nestor Garcia cast the lone ‘no’ vote, saying he was concerned about the chilling effect that the cameras could have on free speech of would-be protestors.

Police officials said the cameras are not intended to discourage public protests.

Honolulu police said the cameras will be used to manage traffic, supplement security measures and provide greater awareness of situations on the ground.

The new cameras will augment 26 existing security cameras in Chinatown and six in Waikiki.

After the APEC summit, all but four of the cameras are to be turned over to the city Department of Transportation Services and will be used primarily for traffic monitoring.