HPD unveils crowd-control units for APEC

Honolulu Police Department officials said they don’t expect to encounter any violence or other major incidents stemming from next month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering, but add that they will be able to manage any problems that do arise.

HPD expects "lawful and nonviolent" demonstrations during APEC, Police Chief Louis Kealoha said Friday at a media availability. "HPD respects the public’s right to protest and express their views."

Three HPD units have been created or reactivated to help deal with security, crowd control and related issues during APEC, which runs Nov. 6-13 in Waikiki and at Ko Olina. The department rolled out the units, their new uniform and equipment, and their roles to media during Friday’s availability.

Most unusual among the groups is the Civil Affairs Unit. Dressed in floral-print aloha wear and straw hats, the unit’s officers are tasked with acting as conduits between protesters and the HPD and other government agencies.

"The civil affairs officers will interact with lawful demonstrators to make sure they are safe and that their rights are protected," said Maj. Clayton Kau, who is helping coordinate the department’s APEC preparations.

First formed during the Asian Development Bank conference in 2001, the Civil Affairs Unit had been inactive since late 2010. It was reactivated in anticipation of APEC. It has also been assigned in recent months at protests held by Hyatt hotel workers and the newly formed Occupy Honolulu.

"We will be out there whenever demonstrators or protesters are out in public and meeting up with them," said Capt. Keith Lima, the unit’s commander.

Beneath the aloha wear will be standard HPD gear including guns and protective vests. The officers will also sport bright-orange armbands bearing the yellow HPD shoulder patch so they are easily recognized as police.

The officers, despite their friendly appearance, will turn off their smiles if necessary, however. "If we have to make arrests, obviously we will," Lima said. "We’re not going to idly stand by and watch crime take place in front of our eyes."

So far, Lima said, "the groups that we’ve been with have been happy to see us there."

Hawaiian activist Lynette Cruz said she and others have been speaking with the unit in advance of APEC.

The unit’s officers are friendly, including acknowledging kupuna as "auntie" and "uncle" when proper, she said. "Pretty disarming if you ask me, and a great strategy to creating and maintaining relationships."

"There is life after APEC, after all," Cruz said. "Everybody in Hawaii is almost related to everybody."

Carolyn Hadfield, an organizer for anti-APEC group World Can’t Wait — Hawaii, first dealt with the Civil Affairs Unit during the Asian Development Bank conference.

Hadfield said she isn’t impressed. "It’s just an HPD unit," she said. "It’s kind of the carrot and the stick. They’re really friendly, and they come and talk to everybody."

Hadfield said protesters know somewhere at a distance behind the unit, away from the public’s view, are heavily armed crowd control officers ready to spring into action. Such was the case Monday when protesters at an APEC-sponsored event at the East-West Center learned that a large group of officers was parked about a mile away, she said.

HPD introduced some members of the Crowd Management Unit to the media on Friday as well.

Maj. Robert Green said, "Hopefully, just as at (other) large events, at APEC, people won’t see them. But they’re always there, and they’re always prepared for any kind of event that happens."

Green declined to say how many officers are assigned to the unit, but pointed out that the city has loaned 10 city buses and 30 shuttle vans (formerly Handi-Vans) to help transport large numbers of officers quickly. Four of the vehicles could also be used to help transport people who are arrested.

"We hope that doesn’t happen," he said.

Also unveiled was a bicycle unit. While HPD bikes are already employed in urban areas including Waikiki and downtown, riders assigned to APEC will be wearing bright-yellow outfits, said Maj. Kurt Kendro.

The bicycle officers, who will ride standard mountain bikes, will be able to serve in a variety of roles from giving directions to helping those demonstrating.

HPD to conduct training exercise

The Honolulu Police Department is advising Oahu residents that it will conduct a large-scale training exercise from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at multiple locations in West Oahu.

Portions of roadways might be closed for brief periods during that time. "The public may see teams of officers and police vehicles traveling between the Waipahu, Ewa and Kalaeloa areas and should not be alarmed," HPD said in a news release late Friday.

The exercise apparently is being undertaken in preparation for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, although the release made no mention of it.

Hawaii News Now video: HPD releases some of its APEC strategy