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By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
More than 50 warships, such as the aircraft carrier USS
Abraham Lincoln, above, will be in Hawaii for the
RIMPAC naval war games over the next five weeks.
Military personnel from seven nations will participate
in the biannual exercises, which begin today and
run through July 6.

War games
fire up economy
by $14 million

The RIMPAC exercises bring
along thousands of personnel
from seven nations for
5 weeks of naval training

By Gregg K. Kakesako
Star-Bulletin

More than 22,000 military personnel from seven countries will be in the islands, beginning today, as part of the biannual Pacific nations naval exercise, injecting an estimated $14 million into the economy.

This is in addition to the $5 billion the military -- the state's second-largest industry after tourism -- contributes annually to the economy.

The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval war games will bring more than 50 ships and 200 aircraft to Hawaii for exercises that run through July 6.

The economic impact numbers are based on spending patterns of past RIMPAC exercises, which have been held nearly every two years since 1971.

The majority of the military personnel will be from the United States, said Pearl Imada Iboshi, administrator of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's research and economic analysis division.

Iboshi said the servicemen and women traditionally have spent about four days each sightseeing in addition to their assignments.

By Ken Sakamoto, Star-Bulletin
This year’s RIMPAC exercises will showcase the
capabilities of the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet, including
the USS Coronado, which the Navy calls the world’s
most advanced command and control warship.

Personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom also will participate in an array of sea operations and a first-time-ever humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise on the Big Island.

More than 125 civilian Red Cross volunteers will work as refugees in the Big Island exercise, June 10-15 at Waimea.

Military organizations will work with non-governmental organizations to plan, construct and administer a simulated refugee camp under conditions that are barren of electrical or sanitary facilities.

The U.S. Third Fleet, normally headquartered in San Diego under the command of Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn, is responsible for overall exercise coordination.

McGinn said RIMPAC "represents an enduring commitment to creating competent coalition partners among Pacific navies. It affords all participants a rare opportunity to test their war fighting skills in a challenging naval exercise while practicing multinational operating skills.

"This could prove extremely useful in the event of some future multinational naval operation in the Pacific."

The maritime exercise "forges friendships and professional associations that last for many years and across the many miles of the Pacific," McGinn said. "These benefits will prove extremely valuable in any future naval operations in response to a regional security challenge."

Two years ago, Australia, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Japan and the U.S. deployed 25,000 personnel who trained here for a month and spent $15.9 million.

The largest foreign contingents are expected to come from Canada, Japan and Australia. In 1998, the three countries each sent nearly 1,500 sailors to Hawaii.

David Carey, president and chief operating officer for the Outrigger Hotels, sees RIMPAC "as a good fit" for the island economy.

"It's coming at a good time because people are more focused on Pacific defense," Carey said.

Being held in June also is "a plus," Carey added.

"It's held during the first part of the summer before the summer crowd."

While the military sees RIMPAC and similar joint operations as a chance to develop contacts with their Asian allies, Carey views it a little differently.

"It brings young men and women to Waikiki, many of them for the first time," Carey said, "and a lot of them will come back with their families.

"It makes for good future customers."

McGinn said RIMPAC allows its participants to refine skills such as submarine hunting and ship and airplane tracking.

Other RIMPAC training highlights include weapons tests at Kauai's Pacific Missile Range Facility that will involve the sinking of a 33-year-old guided missile frigate, a 38-year-old guided missile destroyer, a 29-year-old guided missile cruiser and a 55-year-old World War II troop transport.

RIMPAC will showcase the Third Fleet's flagship, the USS Coronado -- the most advanced command and control warship.

Also here are the Bremerton, Wash.-based aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and its airwing of F-14 Tomcats, F-18 Hornets and tactical aircraft, and the San Diego-based USS Boxer amphibious ready group.

RIMPAC 2000 Rim of the Pacific 2000, the largest Pacific maritime exercise, will be held in Hawaii beginning today through early July. Countries: Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States. First held: 1971 Players: 22,000 military personnel Hardware: Some 50 ships and 200 aircraft Online: www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac2000 Coming Tomorrow It's the ultimate game of seek and destroy, even though it's just pretend. Check out our two-page guide tomorrow to help you better understand how RIMPAC is waged.