The September 11th attack
Hawai'i to greet 600 New Yorkers in December
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Six hundred workers and family members of those who are helping with the recovery from the World Trade Center attack will arrive Dec. 3 for a free week of relaxation as guests of the people of Hawai'i, Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday.
Cayetano, who made the invitations while in New York to promote tourism, said officials from outgoing Mayor Rudy Giuliani on down were moved by the offer of aloha.
Another 600 vacation trips will be provided to other New York fire, police, emergency or recovery workers and their families during 2002.
"Hawai'i has always been a place of rest and recuperation, especially for the heroes of other wars — World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam," Cayetano said. "This was an idea that my office developed after literally dozens of plain old citizens called and suggested it.
"We can offer these people from New York what no others can offer."
The governor said he had heard of similar suggestions from other communities, "but nothing on this scale."
The heroes of the war on terrorism will come to Hawai'i in time to join in honoring the heroes of World War II, including those attacked at Pearl Harbor 60 years ago, as well as the Americans of Japanese ancestry who joined the Army to become the most decorated unit during the war, Cayetano said.
"I am sure the hundreds of Pearl Harbor survivors who will be here for the anniversary would be happy to shake the hand of a firefighter or a policeman from New York who risked his life trying to save victims of another attack on America, and vice versa," Cayetano said.
The governor's wife, Vicky Cayetano, said Giuliani "was very touched by the offer and very anxious to organize it." She said Giuliani joked about wanting to come to Hawai'i himself.
She relayed thanks from 1,000 children from Public School 130 in Manhattan to Hawai'i students for handmade paper lei they sent.
In New York, the Cayetanos also attended the American Society of Travel Agents World Congress, which will hold its meeting next year in Hawai'i.
About 2,000 travel delegates attended, about half the normal number, but Gov. Cayetano said he hopes attendance will return to normal when the meeting occurs next year in Honolulu.
In lieu of the congress' usual closing night festivities, traditionally sponsored by the next year's host site, Hawai'i presented a $125,000 check to the New York City Police and Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Fund.
Hawai'i also gave each ASTA delegate a $75 American Express "be my guest" card, encouraging them to dine at one of New York's restaurants.
Tony Vericella, head of the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau delegation attending the congress, said Hawai'i's gestures of support for New York were in line with the desires of the American Society of Travel Agents, which moved this year's congress to New York from Spain after Sept. 11.
In Hawai'i, bureau spokeswoman Gail Ann Chew said some police and firefighters who had heard about the invitations had begun to call the Islands, asking if they would be eligible. Callers were referred to the New York mayor's office, which will choose individuals to receive the vacation trips.
"Because these trips are intended as a respite, and for security reasons, names of the guests and their itineraries will not be made public," Chew said.
Hawaiian Airlines is donating the use of two specially chartered planes to fly the New Yorkers. Accomodations will be donated by hotel organizations. The bureau will meet with other air carriers today to give them the opportunity to provide similar travel for the additional 600 trips offered for next year, Chew said.
