Isle’s
Asia summit
pays offHawaii leaders and businesses
say the networking and partnerships
formed could be long-lasting
Patrick O'Brien, an exhibitor at the state's first ever Asia-Pacific anti-terrorism summit, said it was worth every penny his Haleiwa-based company Security Resources invested in the show.
"We saw hundreds of decision makers and people who control budgets," O'Brien said. "We were also able to network with a number of Asian leaders."
As a result of the three-day, inaugural Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit & Exposition, O'Brien said he and other business owners likely will be deploying more of their technology in Asia and the Pacific Rim.
The business end of homeland security and the potential for the state's dual-use sector to grow in that market was a huge component of the three-day summit, said Mayor Gen. Robert Lee, adjutant general for the state.
"That's why we filled up the exhibition space three weeks ago," Lee said. "We had to turn exhibitors away."
Partnerships formed as a result of the event could help spur economic improvements to Hawaii's business, trade, commerce and tourism sectors, said Ted Liu, director of the state's Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
"We always thought that Homeland Security had a lot of potential for Hawaii -- but we have moved beyond and we are making it happen," he said. "Private and public partnerships are going to be important as we face that thrust and continue to create opportunities in the dual-use sector."
Dual-use applies to products and services that have both civilian and military applications.
State leaders planned the event as a way to demonstrate to the global market that Hawaii is a safe place and that it has the technological expertise and resources to provide cutting-edge homeland security services, Liu said.
Gov. Linda Lingle, speaking at the close of the event, said the summit and expo will have positive and long-reaching impacts because it positioned Hawaii as a leader in homeland security and it allowed the state to develop friendships with neighbors in the Asia-Pacific region.
More than 600 government, military and business leaders from more than 19 nations and U.S. territories in the Asia-Pacific region attended the event, which began Wednesday and finished yesterday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Countries, territories and economies represented included: American Samoa, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Palau, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka Taiwan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.
The expo was show time for the numerous Hawaii-based agencies that engage the region in security, emergency preparedness, disaster relief and health and bio-security issues.
In the years ahead, homeland security will create more jobs and opportunities for businesses as global economies try to keep their homeland's safe while still promoting business, trade and economic growth, said Ernest Z. Bower, president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.
"Balancing security and trade is at the top of the agenda for all of our businesses," Bower said.
Summit exhibitor Suzanne Maese, spokeswoman for Sensormatic, said "This was a great opportunity for our local company to get mainland exposure and exposure to other countries without having to spend time and money to leave the state."
The Aiea-based physical security engineering company was showcasing next-generation security solutions being delivered to the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Army with Booz Allen Hamilton and The Boeing Co.
Although the military is already partnering with the private sector to provide its technology, that is going to be even more common in the future, Lee said.
"We don't have time to do the research and development," he said. "At least initially, smart companies that can apply current applications are going to be in demand."
Hawaii's homeland security businesses also are going to find a strong private sector market.
"Many companies are still in la-la-land and they think that everything will be OK, and if it's not that it's the government's fault," said Robert G. Lees, executive adviser of BearingPoint. "I think there's a big fear that security will be very expensive, but you can't not do it."
Lees, who spoke to business leaders during a summit panel, said the private sector needs to "raise the level of seriousness" about the topic and that companies that adopt security will be at a competitive advantage.
About 65 percent of the nation's critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector and industry needs to collaborate with public entities to protect these assets, Bower said.
As the emphasis on homeland security increases, the state's small- and medium-sized businesses will be able to seize opportunities along with multinational corporations, said Ray Jefferson, DBEDT deputy director.
"Hawaii has the technical and military experience, the expertise and the relationships with the security community to further develop an economy that supports enhanced security applications," Jefferson said.
"Our small- and medium-sized businesses can be part of this by developing dual-use technologies."
