State panel formed to plan for impact of war

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

The state's chief economist and top civil defense chief have been appointed, along with legislators and business leaders, to the 10-person House Select Committee on War Preparedness, Speaker Calvin Say said yesterday.

Pearl Imada Iboshi, chief state economist at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, will join state Adjutant Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, who leads state civil defense and the Hawai'i National Guard, as members of Gov. Linda Lingle's staff on the committee.

The business leaders are Michael Fitzgerald, president and chief executive officer of Enterprise Honolulu; Robbie Alm, senior vice president for Hawaiian Electric Co.; and Faye Kurren, president of Hawai'i Tesoro Corp.

Leading the committee will be House Vice Speaker Sylvia Luke, D-26th (Punchbowl, Pacific Heights, Nu'uanu).

Other House members involved are Economic Development and Business Concerns Chairman Brian Schatz, D-25th (Makiki, Tantalus); Public Safety and Military Affairs Chairman Ken Ito, D-48th (Kane'ohe); Transportation Vice Chairman Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa); and Minority Floor Leader Cynthia Thielen, R-50th (Kailua, Mokapu).

Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise), said he wants the committee to explore the potential impacts of a war with Iraq on the state's oil reserves, tourism industry and other interests vital to Hawai'i. He noted that the 1991 Gulf War had "a tremendous impact" on the state economy.

The committee also would give recommendations, including possibly whether to ration gasoline, as was done during the energy crisis in the early 1970s, Say said.

The House approved formation of the committee yesterday in the hope of avoiding the uncertainty that gripped Hawai'i in the days and weeks following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

"It actually took over two months for us to group and regroup and look at some of the issues and then come back in special session," said committee leader Luke. "During those two months, a lot of people suffered out there ... and they were looking to government for some solutions and some hope."

The committee will hold its first meeting Saturday.