Advertiser Staff

Admiral William Fallon arrived in Hawai'i last night followng his mission to Japan to extend apologies to the families of the nine men and boys missing in the Ehime Maru collision.

Fallon said in a statement today that the families accepted the apologies and regret expressed by President Bush, the Navy and the American people.

"The families of the victims have graciously accepted our apology. They are appreciative of our intensive search and recovery efforts and are reassured that we will do everything we can do prevent such a tragedy from happening again," he said today.

Fallon said Hawai'is hospitality to the families came up often during his trip.

"One theme which I heard frequently while in Japan was an appreciation for the understanding and warm hospitality of the people of Hawai'i. In each of the meetings I attended — with the Prime Minister (Yoshiro Mori), Diet members, other government officials and most importantly with the family members and schoolmates of the victims — there was a sincere appreciation and gratitude for the compassion and assistance offered by the people of Hawai'i," Fallon said.

"I thank all the people in Hawai'i who stepped forward to provide help to these grieving families in the aftermath of this tragedy. The people of Japan will not soon forget your compassion and your concern."