Hawaii aviation
conference upsets
Common Cause

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By Jonathan D. Salant
Associated Press

WASHINGTON >> The nation's airlines and airports hosted several influential lawmakers at a Big Island conference this week, an event criticized by a watchdog group.

Common Cause President Scott Harshbarger said the conference, held at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, offered the airline industry a chance to hobnob with key lawmakers.

"We challenge the industry to tell us who is representing the public interest," Harshbarger said.

The Aviation Issues Conference was organized by the American Association of Airport Executives. The 40 co-sponsors included the Air Transport Association, the trade group for the major airlines.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky., who chair the congressional subcommittees that write transportation spending bills, were among the lawmakers attending.

Murray spokesman Todd Webster said the conference gave the senator an opportunity to meet with airport executives carrying out parts of the new airline security law.

Airports lobbyist Todd Hauptli said the annual Hawaii conference began 16 years ago.

"It is an opportunity for the entire aviation industry to get together and talk about what's going on," said Hauptli, senior vice president for legislative affairs for both the AAAE and the Airports Council International-North America.