Lingle pushes Hawai'i as 'stress-free' zone

By Gary Schaefer
Associated Press

Gov. Linda Lingle enjoys the antics of "pet robot" Aibo at Sony Media World in Tokyo. Lingle, state tourism executives and other officials are on a weeklong mission to Japan to revive interest in visiting Hawai'i and meet with business leaders. The governor is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tomorrow. Associated Press

The governor's challenge during her weeklong visit is to encourage travelers who have stayed home because of the war in Iraq and the SARS outbreak.

Preliminary figures provided by Lingle's staff showed Japanese arrivals in Hawai'i were down 33.2 percent in April and 39.7 percent in May from the same periods a year ago.

Lingle told about 40 Japanese journalists that a relaxing trip to the Islands was just what the doctor ordered for a nation with more than a few economic headaches.

"We know the Japanese economy is going through restructuring ... but we think that is exactly the right time for people to be traveling," she said. "A visit to Hawai'i will allow people to enjoy a few stress-free days."

Lingle was scheduled to convey that message to top Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the governor of Tokyo.

She kicked off her tour yesterday by attending a lu'au at a U.S. Army base near Tokyo as she met military families from Hawai'i.

Lingle visited Yokota Air Base and the U.S. Army's Camp Zama.

"It's an opportunity to thank them for what they do and to bring them a bit of home," Lingle told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Camp Zama's Hawaii Club put together the lu'au, which featured kalua pig and hula, the governor said. The group presented the governor with a crocheted lei.

"It's a close-knit community," Lingle said of her hosts, some of whom have been stationed in Japan for just a year, while others have lived here for decades. "They've maintained their ties to home."

Lingle is on her first trip abroad since taking office seven months ago.

During the trip, Lingle is scheduled to give several interviews to national newspapers, hold a news conference for travel industry writers and appear on the morning show of a national TV network.

"We want to keep Hawai'i front and center in people's minds," Lingle said.

The former sumo champion Konishiki, a popular celebrity in Japan, will join Lingle on the television show. Konishiki, also known as Salevaa Atisanoe, is from Nanakuli.

Later today, the governor planned to meet with representatives of Japan's largest travel agency, JTB Corp., and attend a reception with business leaders.

She is scheduled to return to Hawai'i on Friday.