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Businesses back
ADB meeting

They pledge $400,000 to
help host the event

Star-Bulletin

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Some of Hawaii's leading businesses have come together to pledge a total of $400,000 in cash and services to help host the Asian Development Bank Board of Governors meeting, set for May 7-11 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

First Hawaiian Bank kicked off the fund drive with a $100,000 contribution and United Airlines promised $50,000, according to an announcement from a steering committee, headed by Walter A. Dods Jr., chairman of First Hawaiian and its parent, BancWest Corp.

Other pledges include $25,000 each from Alexander & Baldwin Inc., BNP Paribas (a big shareholder in BancWest), Ford Motor Co. and Verizon Communications. A number of other local businesses promised $10,000 each and Dods said others are expected to offer money or support services.

Business interested in helping to sponsor the event may contact steering committee member Lily Yao, First Hawaiian Bank vice chairman, at 525-7767.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is considering a request from Gov. Ben Cayetano for $500,000 to help pay for security at the conference.

Backers of the 3,000-attendee meeting say it should pump $17 million to $20 million into the state economy.