Isle leaders convene In a rare bipartisan display of city, state and federal unity, Hawaii's political leaders gathered yesterday at Honolulu Airport to look at the security plans and talk up Hawaii's economy.
to discuss ways
to stimulate economy
They vow to explore legislation
to attract more tourism
and help local workersFrom staff and news reports
"You are witnessing a example of how Hawaii does it, how Hawaii comes together," U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka said during a news conference at the airport. "All of Hawaii is gathered here today to set an example for our country."
He urged that local residents help Hawaii's tourist economy by eating in restaurants, taking trips to the neighbor Islands and going shopping.
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye warned that the problems caused by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 are going to mean layoffs and economic dislocation here in Hawaii.
"As much as we would like to say to you that happy days are here and it is coming along, I think we should be prepared for tougher days," Inouye cautioned.
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie said the congressional delegation will push for incentives to encourage air travel, possibly including 100 percent tax-deductibility of business meals and entertainment and tax deductions for spousal or family travel for a year to 18 months.
The delegation also supports an expansion of the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to allow small businesses based outside a disaster area to apply for help if they are affected by the disaster, members said.
Under current rules a business must be physically located in the area where the disaster occurred, Inouye said.
"Yet we know very well that we have suffered just as greatly as the businesses in lower Manhattan," he said, adding, "much as I grieve for them."
Now that Congress has stepped in to help the struggling airline industry, it must also help displaced airline employees, said U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink. When Congress returns to work Tuesday, she said, the delegation will push for legislation to extend unemployment benefits to laid off airline workers for 18 months and cover their health insurance premiums during that time.
Inouye also spoke in support of a proposal to federalize security operations at the nation's airports, saying President Bush's proposal for federal supervision of security operations does not go far enough.
But although he said most security workers would earn better pay and may receive better training as federal employees, he said Hawaii's airport security workers are top notch.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said he would be working with legislative leaders to draw up plans for a special legislative session later next month in order to help the state's economy.
It is expected that the administration will consolidate plans this weekend and meet with the Legislature next week on an economic recovery plan.
Meanwhile, individual legislators are already making suggestions. Rep. Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach, Waipahu) asked that construction money be used to air-condition all the public school classrooms in the state.
"Heat, dust and noise can make classrooms uncomfortable and unbearable," Espero said.
Star-Bulletin reporter Richard Borreca and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
