Members of Hawai'i congressional delegation support U.S. troops

Associated Press

As U.S. forces launched air strikes against targets in Iraq today, Hawai'i Congressman Neil Abercrombie repeated his opposition to the war while expressing support for U.S. troops and their families.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, also said he supported the troops who are engaged in what he called the effort "to disarm Saddam Hussein and dislodge his loathsome regime."

"No one needs to convince us of the horror of weapons of mass destruction or the evil intentions of Saddam Hussein," Abercrombie said in a news release issued by his Washington office.

"But the Bush administration has not proved its case," he said. "It has presented no credible evidence that the United States faces imminent attack and no evidence at all that Iraq was involved in the September 11th attacks."

Notwithstanding his concerns about President Bush's policy, Abercrombie said he appreciates the patriotism of U.S. troops and their willingness to serve.

"This war puts them in harm's way, disrupts their lives and demands enormous sacrifices," he said. "They and their families deserve our support in the difficulties and dangers they face."

Akaka vowed in a statement to "work alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have the resources necessary to swiftly and successfully conclude their mission.

"I join the American people in praying for the safety and well-being of our men and women deployed in the region, as well as our British and Australian allies," Akaka said.

Jennifer Sabas, Sen. Daniel Inouye's chief of staff in Honolulu, said Hawai'i's senior Democrat would issue a statement tomorrow.

Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i, said the reasons why the country went to war would long be analyzed.

"But for now, regardless of our individual views, we all owe our full support to those now placing their well-being and very lives on the line for us, and our prayers must be with them, their loved ones, and all the innocents now in harm's way," he said in a statement.

Hakim Ouansafi, chairman and president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, said that although they opposed the war, "as patriotic Americans, Hawai'i Muslims believe that this debate is over and we close ranks, look to the future and pray that his nightmare ends soon.

"We are praying for the safe return of our young American men and women, many of which not only share our nationality but our religion as well, and the safety of the innocent Iraqi people" Ouansafi said.

Meanwhile, Abercrombie has introduced a bill to counter an expected war-related downturn in Hawai'i's visitor count.

The measure would restore the deduction for spousal business travel. It would allow a taxpayer to deduct travel, lodging, meals and other expenses incurred by an accompanying spouse on a business trip.

"The conflict in Iraq will depress Hawai'i's visitor count, and we need to look for ways to counter that effect," Abercrombie said.