DHS: KONA BLUE program disapproved and terminated
The Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security formally disapproved KONA BLUE as a Special Access Program and ordered its immediate termination. The decision cited insufficient justification and inadequate information regarding personnel and budget requirements.
Background
Approximately six months after its establishment in 2011, KONA BLUE was formally terminated by the Deputy Secretary of DHS. The senior official rejected the proposal to elevate the program to full Special Access Program (SAP) status, citing concerns about the adequacy of the justification provided. Additionally, the sufficiency of central information regarding necessary personnel allocations and budget requirements was questioned. Despite initial beliefs by some DHS personnel that relevant materials and data would be delivered to the department upon SAP establishment, the termination order confirmed that no such transfers had occurred or would occur under KONA BLUE.