By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
President Clinton was greeted by some 40 well-wishers this
morning at Hickam Air Force Base, where Air Force One made
a brief refueling stop after a five-day trip to Asia and Guam.
Clinton makes
1-1/2-hour
stop here
Cayetano asks the president to
From staff and wire reports
push Hawaii for next year's
World Trade Organization conferencePresident Bill Clinton made a 1-1/2-hour refueling pit stop in Honolulu early this morning, meeting with Gov. Ben Cayetano for some 45 minutes before heading back to Washington after a five-day trip to Asia and Guam.
While Air Force One was being refueled at the Hickam Air Force Base tarmac, Clinton met with Cayetano at Hickam's VIP lounge, where the governor urged that Hawaii be picked to host the World Trade Organization conference next November.
After Clinton's departure about 6:30 a.m., Cayetano said Clinton was "very, very favorably disposed to Hawaii" as the conference site and expressed optimism that the state would "make the cut for selection."
Clinton said the Asian crisis made Hawaii seem a good spot to host such a meeting, Cayetano said. He added that informal information from the site selection committee shows that several factors weigh in Hawaii's favor, including technological capabilities, facilities and its safe environment.
The short-term boost of hosting the WTO conference is some $14 million in generated revenue, Cayetano said, but in the long term, such a coup would help break the long-held misconception that Hawaii is merely a destination for play, not business.
By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Hickam Air
Force Base early this morning.
Clinton arrived at Hickam about 4:55 a.m., disembarking from Air Force One followed by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), who, with fellow U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawaii), had traveled to Asia and Guam with Clinton.Clinton was met by Cayetano, first lady Vicky Cayetano, and Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, among others. Wearing a multistrand ilima lei, Clinton moved in the predawn light to greet some 30 to 40 people who had gathered for a glimpse of the president.
Surrounded by Secret Service agents, Clinton did not disappoint -- shaking hands with well-wishers, taking photos with them and taking time to chat briefly.
After his meeting with Cayetano, Clinton reboarded Air Force One about 6:20 a.m., waving to the crowd, and the plane took off some 10 minutes later.
Clinton's brief stop in Hawaii followed a visit to Guam yesterday, where he greeted islanders with the local welcome, "Hafa adai," and promising to respond to claims by residents of this U.S. territory that they suffer from federal neglect.
On Guam, Clinton told thousands of cheering, flag waving islanders at an outdoor campaign-style rally that he will turn over additional U.S. military property held since GIs stormed ashore in 1944 in World War II.
He offered fresh federal assistance for a tourist-dependent, $3 billion economy that still looks to federal expenditures for 28 percent of its revenue.
And the president said he will "respond seriously" to the outcome of a popular, non-binding referendum in December 1999 in which the island's 160,000 residents will choose between statehood, independence or free association with the United States.
"I will work to ensure that your voices are heard in Washington, that you are treated fairly and sensitively by the federal government, that you are consulted before policies are made that affect your lives," Clinton declared.
Clinton said he was returning to Washington, D.C., knowing "the rhythms, the energy, the smile, the realities of life here that I would never have understood so well had I not been able to come."
Clinton, who began yesterday day in South Korea and planned to end it back at the White House late today, got a rousing reception from Guamanians who rarely see American presidents visit their 212-square mile volcanic island 8,900 miles from Washington.
The last chief executive to come, President Ronald Reagan in 1986, alienated some islanders with remarks that praised U.S. troops here but made scant mention of islanders' concerns.
Guamanians, infatuated with Clinton, made it clear they want him to improve their status.
