Posted on: Tuesday, October 9, 2001

The September 11th attack
Hawai'i lawmakers praise air strikes

By Lynda Arakawa and Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writers

Hawai'i's political leaders yesterday praised the missile and bomb attacks on the government of Afghanistan, saying the United States had to respond militarily to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on its soil.

They also warned of a long fight ahead.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, said the terrorists' "day of reckoning has arrived."

"As President Bush has made clear, our quarrel is not with the Afghan people or Islam," Akaka said. "Indeed, the relief efforts simultaneously under way seek to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people under Taliban rule."

"The effort under way is part of a different and difficult battle which requires patience and perseverance," Akaka said.

State Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (Wahiawa, Waialua, Sunset Beach), said Hawai'i needs to support Bush in his efforts against terrorism.

"We had tremendous loss of life and we need to make a statement to those who are responsible and tell them we mean business and we're going to do everything in our powers (to stop them)," he said. "I don't think those terrorists are going to rest with just this particular event. It's an ongoing action upon their part, and if we don't put a stop to that, they're just going to get the best of us."

Senate Minority Leader Sam Slom, R-8th (Wai'alae Iki, Hawai'i Kai), said: "I think it certainly is the right course of action. I think the president deserves high marks for taking a very deliberate and organized approach to it, particularly with the allied forces."

House Minority Leader Galen Fox said the long-anticipated military action will help Americans in their return to regular activities.

"I think it's a step forward and, in that sense, it helps it along," said Fox, R-21st (Waikiki, Ala Wai).

House Speaker Calvin Say said he is "elated" over the attacks and is pleased that the United States is carefully focusing on military targets. That should minimize the impact of the war on the general public of Afghanistan, he said.

"I'm a little concerned about retaliation, but I'm very confident that we will prevail," said Say, D-18th (Palolo, St. Louis, Kaimuki).

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris said he thinks the military forces are doing a fine job. "I think it's going to be a long process and I think we need to continue to provide our full support to our president and to our military."

City Councilman John Henry Felix, a longtime Republican, said he's impressed with the actions of the president and the Bush administration. "They have been very thorough and thoughtful and measured in their actions."

Felix said the president put together a good team of advisers who have served him well. "The best strategy was to first form a worldwide coalition, so it's not just a United States initiative, it's an international initiative," Felix said. "This is not a war against Islam, it's a war against terrorism. It's not revenge, but justice."

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the atmosphere in Washington is one of a sense of purpose about working together during a difficult time. "There's a high sense of collaboration and awareness of how important it is for everyone to be on the same page."

Abercrombie said people need to realize that terrorist attacks are different from conventional military objectives.

"They are by definition political in nature; such attacks are aimed at and geared toward their symbolic value in terms of undermining confidence in the society, spreading fear, interrupting economic and social activity in a way that creates great anxiety," he said.

Abercrombie said he was impressed by the efforts of O'ahu business executive Jim Williams, who gave $100 to every employee on the condition that they spend it in Waikiki at a hotel, restaurant or shop in the next two weeks.

After Abercrombie heard about the plan, he said he was inspired to write a "dear colleague" letter to fellow members of Congress to suggest they try the same idea to help their own local businesses.

Abercrombie said the idea is simple but effective. "It's people helping people directly," he said. "You sure can help your neighbor and help each other."

Advertiser staff writer Kevin Dayton contributed to this report.