Security officials
convening in HawaiiA summit this week might help
Asia-Pacific nations fight terrorism
Asian and Pacific Rim nations have long turned to Hawaii -- their closest U.S. neighbor -- for guidance and information sharing on military matters.
Now, as such countries look to protect their own borders in a post-9/11 climate, they are coming to Hawaii to take up homeland security issues.
"With all of the inroads that we have made in homeland security ... for the state of Hawaii, we should be pushing this beyond Hawaii shores," said state Adjutant Gen. Robert Lee.
Such thinking led to the creation of the inaugural Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit & Exposition, set for Honolulu this week.
The summit convenes homeland security officials from the United States -- including Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, who will participate by live video link from Washington, D.C. -- Asia and the Pacific to discuss a range of anti-terrorism strategies and other security initiatives.
Hawaii already shares training methods and other such military information with its Pacific neighbors, Lee said, noting that homeland security issues are not quite the same.
"My associates and friends I know in the Asia and Pacific countries have been saying, 'How about letting us know what you're doing?'" Lee said. "One goal is to build a better network, not only internally with our partners within the state of Hawaii, but to reach out with the West Coast states and to Asia-Pacific countries -- basically strengthen everybody in homeland security."
Hawaii officials say the islands' response measures have been cited by other states and federal agencies as among the most prepared in the country.
Other scheduled speakers and panelists include Gov. Linda Lingle; Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command; and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong.
Regional business leaders and representatives from various think tanks, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions also are scheduled to attend, along with homeland security representatives from nations including China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
The summit is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.
