Bush plans pair of stops in Hawaii

President Bush is tentatively scheduled to make stopovers in Hawaii twice next week.

A White House spokesman said yesterday it is not yet confirmed when Bush will arrive in Hawaii, if at all. However, the Honolulu sector of the U.S. Secret Service has a tentative schedule for Bush arriving on Monday and Sept. 8.

"Those are very tentative dates, and really the time and date has not yet been confirmed," said Special Agent in Charge Albert Joaquin. "We're looking at a refueling situation."

Air Force One is tentatively scheduled to arrive at Hickam Air Force Base at 3 p.m. Monday and leave at 4:35 p.m. On Sept. 8, Bush is tentatively expected to arrive at Hickam at 11:30 a.m. and depart at 3 p.m.

Joaquin declined further comment pending confirmation of the time and dates.

The president is expected to travel to Australia next week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in Sydney.

A Bloomberg News report stated Bush leaves Monday for Sydney and returns on Sept. 8, when he is expected to announce a successor to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who resigned Monday.

The president's last visit was marred by the death of Honolulu motorcycle police officer Steve Favela, who crashed during the motorcade escort on Nov. 21. The 30-year-old father of four and eight-year police veteran died from his injuries five days later.

In May, Bush honored Favela and his family at the National Peace Officers Memorial Service in Washington.