HONOLULU -- The Federal Aviation Administration ordered all flights to be grounded at Hawaii airports until Wednesday morning at the earliest in the wake of the attacks involving planes at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Airport on all islands were shut down, along with all other airports in the country. Bomb-sniffing dogs were sent in to search the entire Honolulu Airport concourse and other parts for potential explosives.

Hawaii Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali said that the FAA hasn't yet determined if the airports will be reopened at 6 a.m., the earliest point that U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has said that airports could reopen.

Kali said that new security measures may be instituted once the airports are reopened, including moving the so-called "sterile" area, to curbside. That would mean that only ticketed passengers would be allowed past that point.

Kali also said that vehicles in parking garages may also be subject to search.

"We may be searching random vehicles, or all vehicles," she said.

Anyone with flight plans is encouraged to call the airlines to see if their flight will be allowed to fly (see sidebar, right, for phone numbers).

A total of 19 international trans-Pacific flights bound for the mainland were allowed to land Tuesday at Honolulu International Airport since they did not have enough fuel to fly to any other major airport. The Hawaii Air National Guard scrambled F-15 fighter jets to escort the airliners onto the runways.

Some passengers told KITV4 News that they were told of the attacks while in the air, while others said that they were not even notified that they would be landing in Honolulu.

"When we landed, we realized we weren't in LA and they told us once we were safely on the ground what was going on," passenger Christal Karge said. "It was kind of scary, shocked, definitely, definitely shocked."

Virtually all of the roughly 3,300 passengers who were diverted to Hawaii have been accomodated by local hotels. About 2,800 passengers are from Japan Airlines flights that were headed to the mainland. Another 500 passengers were on United Airlines flights.

Hawaii Residents Among Crash Victims
A 33-year-old newlywed and project manager for the Outdoor Circle and a local antiques dealer were among the 45 victims who were killed when United Airlines flight 93 crashed into a field south of Pittsburgh.

Christine Snyder had been attended a conference in Washington with Outdoor Circle Director Mary Steiner. Snyder, a University of Hawaii graduate, was returning to Hawaii aboard the flight from Newark while Steiner remained in New York. Snyder was married three months ago.

Georgine Rose Corrigan was an antique and collectibles dealer who once owned a shop at Kilohana Square. She was on the East Coast on a buying trip for a November collectibles show at the Blaisdell Center.

Local Government On Alert
Gov. Ben Cayetano said that he is activating the state Civil Defense at Diamond Head.

He also is placing the National Guard on a low-level alert. He said that they will be used to assist the police and fire departments around the state.

"On a statewide level, we have taken the steps set forth in our terrorist management plan and I'm comfortable that the issues that confront us are being managed appropriately," Cayetano said.

Mayor Jeremy Harris has ordered the Oahu Civil Defense on duty to be prepared for any actions that may be needed. Harris said that everything is under control. Security was tightened up at many city buildings.

Hawaii's flag stood at half-mast in front of the State Capitol in honor of those killed.

As police officers guarded City Hall, Harris offered help to the country's stricken East Coast and New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"We don't know if he needs other assistance, emergency personnel, or engineers but we will offer them should they request," Harris said.

Increased security was also provided for public facilities that were seen as possible targets; these included wastewater treatment plans like the one at Sand Island and utility companies like Hawaiian Electric.

Federal buildings all over the country were closed. Downtown Honolulu was no exception, but it will reopen Wednesday with heightened security.

Schools Situation
All public schools and universities will be open Wednesday with the exception of schools on Army and Air Force installations.

Schools that will remain closed Wednesday include:

Wheeler Elementary School

Wheeler Intermediate School

Halekua Elementary School (Schofield Barracks)

Solomon Elementary School (Schofield Barracks)

Hickam Elementary School

Shafter Elementary School

Nimitz Elementary School

Holy Family Catholic Academy

Blood Drive
The Blood Bank of Hawaii has asked for donors to help with the massive need for blood expected in New York to deal with the heavy amount of casualties.

Click here for a list of other places to donate blood on Tuesday.

Donation Centers:
Dillingham Donor Center
2043 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

Downtown Donor Center
126 Queen Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Cayetano has ordered the state flag to be flown at half staff in mourning of those killed in the attacks. The order will stand until further notice.

Businesses Affected: Ala Moana Shopping Center was closed Tuesday along with all of its stores. Officials said that the mall will fully reopen Wednesday morning.

Bank of Hawaii closed three of its branches at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu Airport.

Stay with KITV4 News and TheHawaiiChannel.com for more developments.