Tourism gets plug
on ‘Today’

Maui Mayor James Apana talks
about isle visits on the show

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Star-Bulletin staff

Maui County Mayor James "Kimo" Apana had a quick interview on the "Today Show" in New York yesterday morning to promote tourism in Hawaii.

Apana and Old Lahaina Luau dancers, holding signs about Hawaii and Maui, were standing as part of the audience near the NBC outdoor stage, when "Today Show" interviewer Al Roker approached them.

The meeting between Roker and Apana had been pre-arranged by network producers.

Apana, who identified himself as the Maui mayor, held a cardboard cut-out displaying a bikini top and hula skirt.

"What are you doing here?" Roker asked jokingly. "That's the stuff that gets people thrown out."

"We're trying to bring sunshine to your state," Apana said.

"You did it," Roker said. "Thank you very much."