Native issues to be presented at ADB
| • | City prepares for bank meeting protests |
| • | Advertiser special: ADB in Hawai'i — global issues, local impact |
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Gov. Ben Cayetano expressed confidence yesterday that Hawai'i is ready to be host to the Asian Development Bank summit and let protesters exercise their right of free expression.
But he said Hawai'i is also prepared to handle any problems next week at the Hawai'i Convention Center.
He said officials believe the meeting will go smoothly. "We don't expect some of these crazy people from the Mainland are going to come here, the Ruckus groups and all of that, just to start trouble," he said. "But if they do, we'll be ready for them. ... "
Meanwhile, a group of Native Hawaiians including retired Judge Walter Heen, activist Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele and retired Maj. Gen. Edward Richardson is promoting awareness of Hawai'i's history and political and cultural issues as part of the ADB summit.
"The concern we had is that the ADB protesters not be able to use ... Native Hawaiian groups as a shield for their protest operation," Heen said.
The group began meeting in February as 'Aha Ho'okele Huli'au (Time for Change). Kanahele said about 70 people, primarily of Hawaiian ancestry, worked with the ADB, law enforcement officials and others to encourage presentations that explore Hawaiian issues.
Advertiser capitol bureau chief Kevin Dayton contributed to this report.
