City gears up for bank conference

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

As Honolulu prepares for the Asian Development Bank conference in two weeks, neighbors of the Hawai'i Convention Center are making plans ranging from boarding up plate-glass windows to stocking up on Polynesian wear.

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Labor Ready, a temporary employment service across the street, plans to board up its large plate glass window. Sears at Ala Moana has a different plan: It hopes to greet the delegates and protesters with a full inventory of Polynesian attire.

The owner of You Hungry? restaurant on Atkinson Boulevard also hopes for customers.

"I'm looking at the positive end of it," said owner Ipo Cullen. "They gotta eat."

Financial leaders from 60 member nations are scheduled to discuss economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific area. But activists have criticized the bank for approving loans that they say exploit the poor and harm the environment.

Honolulu police and other law enforcement agencies have been planning security, which likely will be enhanced if President Bush attends the conference. Bush has not yet decided whether to attend, but his schedule indicates that he probably won't be here.

The White House has not announced the president's travel plans beyond May 6. Aides said they expect to know more by tomorrow.

Bush is scheduled to spend next weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, returning May 6 to Washington in time to play host to a T-ball game for youngsters on the South Lawn of the White House.

Observers say it would be unusual for the president to attend a meeting when other heads of state are not present. The bank meeting is expected to draw about 60 finance ministers from the Asia-Pacific region.

Officials from the Treasury Department are scheduled to make the trip, and possibly some from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department.

Merchants weigh options

Thousands of delegates and protesters are expected to converge on the Honolulu Convention Center, center left, during the Asian Development Bank conference May 7-11. Advertiser library photo • April 1998

Five-0 Custom Cycles Hawaii co-owner Junior Farm said he will probably close the shop for the entire week. The store specializes in gear, parts and accessories for Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Farm said he saw news coverage of protests at an international conference this month in Quebec and thinks any similar action is likely to slow his business down considerably.

"Personally, I wouldn't come down here, just to avoid the whole situation," he said.

His next-door neighbor, GCI Wireless, may also close if it's difficult for telephone customers to get there. GCI manager Marc Colozzi said "it is the first time that the convention center is hurting business."

The management of nearby Ala Moana Center is planning to have all staff on hand that week. Dwight Yoshimura, the center's senior vice president and general manager, said officials hope that the conference will bring customers to the center.

Yoshimura said that law enforcement officials have briefed them on security precautions.

"We feel pretty confident that they have things under control," he said.

At the Ala Moana Sears, Phil Chang, district advertising manager, said the plan is to be ready for shoppers and "be full on inventory such as Polynesian wear."

Others who may be affected by the conference are making preparations, also.

Hawai'i Transportation Association managing director Gareth Sakakida said members who drive shuttles, buses and limousines will likely be in the area transporting delegates and others to related events.

His advice to members is to use caution, and avoid Waikiki and the convention center if possible.

"We anticipate a lot of activity, hopefully peaceful, but we don't know," Sakakida said. "Nobody really knows what's going to happen."

Murray Towill, president of the Hawai'i Hotel Association, said his members have been coordinating with police, fire and other security officials.

"It's a heightened sense of awareness," Towill said. "A lot of it is just trying to be prepared."

But he said that a number of the hotels are accustomed to the high-profile guests and big groups expected for the conference.

"I think everybody hopes and frankly anticipates that it's going to go smoothly," Towill said.

Queen's reviews plans

The Queen's Medical Center is gearing up for the conference roughly the same way the organization prepares for a presidential visit, said Gail Tiwanak, vice president of organizational planning and communications.

Tiwanak said the hospital is reviewing its disaster-preparedness plan to be ready for whatever might occur. She said the emergency room will not schedule additional staff, but will call people in if necessary.

"We're just being prepared," Tiwanak said. "The security department is planning to have additional staff during that week."

The city has yet to announce any traffic detours during the conference. O'ahu Transit Services Inc., which runs the city bus system, expects to make route detours to accommodate events related to the conference.

Kenneth Stanley, vice president of operational planning and marketing for OTS, said bus routes through Waikiki will be adjusted for May 9, at least, when an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 demonstrators will travel past the Hawai'i Convention Center on their way to Kapi'olani Park.

Routes that may be affected by the conference include City Express A and B, and routes 2, 3, 9, and 13, said Stanley.

"We'll probably post notices at bus stops on scheduled changes, along with placing personnel on the street to assist riders," Stanley said.

Advertiser staff writers Susan Roth and Scott Ishikawa contributed to this report.