Tensions are mounting after North Korea fired short-range missiles and reports warning that Hawaii could be in the path of a long-range test.
Our islands lie beyond the range of North Korea's known missile capability, but the U.S. military isn't taking any chances as North Korean leader Kim Jong Il makes his moves.
Could these short range missile tests off North Korea's coast Thursday be a prelude to something more? Japan's Defense Ministry believes North Korea may try to launch a long-range missile toward Hawaii sometime this weekend.
"We will not stand idle as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region, or on us," says Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
The U.S. military has taken precautions for a possible missile intercept, including deployment of a radar that looks like a giant golf ball from Pearl Harbor.
"If they fire a missile aimed toward Hawaii or the United States, Alaska, California, you shoot it down," says Senator Daniel Inouye.
"The Pentagon people, they have military orders, but privately they tell me we're with you."
North Korea's provocative actions beg the question, why?
"In the so-called civilized world, these incidents should not occur, but Kim Jong Il is something else."
"I suppose he's trying to get respect that his nation is a nation of power and influence."
It appears to be backfiring.
"The power grip of the regime itself, you know, is loosening. So the people are becoming more open and brave to speak openly against the regime," says North Korean defector Kim Kwang Jin.
But it's a regime that's not afraid to play with fire.
"You can't take a chance and say, "Oh Mr. Kim Jong Il, is that a real target missile with nuclear device?"
"Pure talking is not enough for this man, you have to have a club in the back of that talk."
America's Secretary of Defense says there's still time for North Korea to think again.
"At the end of the day, the choice to continue as a destitute international pariah or chart a new course is North Korea's alone to make," says Gates.
North Korea has set no-sail zone off its east coast through July 10 for what they said were military drills.
