Island Voices
We need to move the date line east

By Ted Gibson

Recently there was a very thought-provoking discussion by some very learned minds as to Hawai'i's direction, toward achieving the posture of "being the U.S. gateway to the entire Pacific."

Discussions dwelt on various exciting areas of development that may not be generally known:

• The new state-of-the-art hospital in Waimea, on the Big Island, where several doctors are creating small growths of selected herbs which both the Orient and Hawaiian history have shown to be beneficial.

• Electronic, computer, state-of-the-art communications and training programs are being created by many local companies, encouraging support and response from Asian nations and individuals.

• The state is encouraging use of the new Hawai'i Convention Center as a means of bridging the United States and all the Pacific nations.

• A suggestion arose to consider the international date line, which divides Hawai'i (being "today") from all the Pacific nations (being "tomorrow.") If the date line is pushed east of Hawai'i, several beautiful postures are established:

• Hawai'i leads the time clock, being the first spot to begin the new day, followed an hour later by New Zealand and so forth.

• Thus all the Pacific Rim nations discover that "we are them," all running on the same day.

• It was then suggested that the "frosting on the cake" would be to establish a stock exchange in Honolulu. As it is now, the day starts with the Tokyo Exchange, followed by Hong Kong and Sydney. Under the new arrangement, Honolulu's exchange would be the first to open each day. Think of it — everything in Hawai'i would lead the Pacific, and indeed the world.

• Folks flying to Hawai'i from the Mainland would get to cross the date line, skipping a day, which they retrieve upon returning to the Mainland, where they find they can relive the same day a second time around.

• Perhaps the armed forces Pacific headquarters here would appreciate being across the date line and in step with all the facilities throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas.

• We would be the first to vote — so instead of "So goes Maine, so goes the nation," insert Hawai'i. Also, on holidays, our special events, such as the Kamehameha Day Parade, can be on the evening news on the Mainland — providing a fantastic and continuing promotional impact because we do everything first.

The entire concept is a win-win formula for Hawai'i. Let's get started.

Ted Gibson is a retired engineer. He lives in Kailua.