STORIED football coach Vince Lombardi didn't like losing. "Show me a good loser," he said, "and I'll show you a loser." We don't know yet if Hawaii has won or lost the most valued prize put in reach of our visitor industry in many years. What we do know -- for certain -- is that the effort to win has been a stupendous cooperation of everyone who could possibly help. Hawaii’s quest for
world trade meetingThe Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 1999, ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization will deliver only 7,500 or so people to the American city where it is held -- no great shakes compared to some gigantic conventions.
But winning this can do immense things to change the worldwide impression that Hawaii is only for sun and sand. We are culturally, economically and academically rich for world business meetings. But too often only we know it. Businessmen often have to apologize for setting Hawaii meetings.
Trade ministers from worldwide gathered in Hawaii for crucial decision-making would do wonders to correct that. Financial news for at least the next few years would refer to "the Hawaii round" of policy decisions.
After President Clinton in Europe last year invited WTO to meet in the U.S, 40 cities applied. The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau led the presentations that carried Honolulu's new convention center into the final 16 and now the final six -- along with Dallas, Denver, Detroit, San Diego and Seattle.
Site selectors from the WTO in Geneva and the State Department told our people when they came here the weekend after the November election that Honolulu is their first choice. However, final selection rests with the office of the U.S. trade representative, Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, and the White House.
This is the period of heavy politicking by all six contenders. It could involve the presi-dent's desire to regain from Congress fast track authority to negotiate trade agreements.
Governor Cayetano went to bat with both President Clinton and Vice President Gore when they made airport stops here in November en route back from separate trips to Asia. He argued that the economy of Hawaii would be immensely boosted by the WTO helping to show our importance as more than a leisure place. Congress members Abercrombie and Mink were on the president's plane for the Asia trip. They did their best. Sen. Daniel Inouye has made calls to all the key deciders.
A special delegation went to Washington just before Christmas. It included former Governors Ariyoshi and Waihee, Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, Tony Vericella and top staff from HVCB, Brenda Lei Foster and Joe Blanco from Cayetano's staff and Robert Lees from the Honolulu-based Pacific Basin Economic Council.
They were able to see John Podesta, the president's chief of staff; Commerce Secretary William Daley, Trade Ambassador Barshefsky and other White House and State Department people who will be in on the decision.
THE Hilton and Starwood/Sheraton hotel chains in Hawaii helped host the inspection team. They are leading hotel industry support that helped make Hawaii what our people consider the "best buy" for WTO.
As the deciding drags on there is no resting on laurels. Contacts are being pursued -- and will be -- right up to the last moment.
We will be a deserving winner and Hawaii's image as a place for business as well as recreational
A.A. Smyser is the contributing editor
and former editor of the the Star-Bulletin
His column runs Tuesday and Thursday.