WASHINGTON — Embattled Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday that he didn't know Hawai'i was the only state not protected by U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defense.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, who was questioning Chertoff on the issue, said he was "stunned" at his admission.

"If disaster strikes in Hawai'i, DHS needs to know with which Defense Department command to coordinate," Akaka said.

Hawai'i — along with a part of Alaska and the U.S. territories in the Pacific — falls under the U.S. Pacific Command headquartered at Camp Smith in Halawa.

Akaka said that with no neighboring states to provide material support, "the only outside help will come from the federal government" after a catastrophic event.

Chertoff also said the Homeland Security agency plans to have regional offices around the country, but he made no comment on locating one in Hawai'i.

Ed Teixeira, vice director of Hawai'i's Civil Defense, said the state would be "the best place" to put a regional office serving the entire Pacific area.

Reach Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.