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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, February 28, 2002

Big Islanders speak out against airline merger

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — About 70 Big Islanders turned out last night to thrash the proposed merger of Aloha and Hawaiian airlines during a state Senate hearing.

After an hour of questioning of Rodney Kimura, the state deputy attorney general reviewing the planned merger, two dozen speakers were expected to testify.

Kimura told questioners he could not reveal details of the ongoing antitrust investigation but assured questioners "this merger is not a done deal."

The first 11 people who spoke all said the merger should be resisted. They ranged from business and conservation leaders to retirees and farmers.

"Competition is where it's at. We really need it," said Bobby Cooper, president of the Hawai'i Island Chamber of Commerce, who also presented a petition with 150 signatures opposing the merger.

Representatives of the airlines did not attend, although Sen. Ron Menor said they had been asked to participate. Last night's hearing was the second of four hearings that began in Kona and continue Wednesday on Maui and March 8 on Kaua'i.

"Neighbor Island residents will be affected most by any changes," said Menor, D-18th (Mililani, Waipahu, Crestview). Menor is a native of Hilo.

Some of the testimony came from concerned airline workers, such as Kihei Ahuna, who flies between Honolulu and Hilo regularly.

Delan Perry, president of the Big Island Farm Bureau, said farmers are worried about a monopoly. "Wherever there is a lack of competition, the environment becomes ripe for high prices and reduced service," said the papaya farmer.

Special Olympian Terrance Woerishofer, an eight-year resident of Pahoa, said he is worried about getting flights for competition on Maui and O'ahu if the merger goes through.

Presy Aquirre, saying she was speaking for three generations of interisland fliers, condemned the airlines for layoff notices to 30-year employees. "My heart bleeds," she said, predicting "unreachable fares when the honeymoon is over."

Several speakers, including Jim Albertini, urged the state try to help establish "a worker and consumer cooperative airline" should the merger go through.

Hilo Realtor Mary Bejier expressed concern about how commuters working on O'ahu and living in Hilo will be affected, saying that fares have increased and may continue to climb.

Kimura said he was "heartened" by last night's turnout.